The Nativity Story (2006)

Powerful

Entertaining from beginning to end, it maintains the spirit of the franchise while establishing it's own seal with a fun cast

It's an amazing and heartbreaking story.

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

Recently, Hollywood has put out a number of movies ("Noah" & "Exodus: Gods and Kings") that essentially remove the presence of God from religious stories. This, obviously, causes those films to fail on both a religious and storytelling front. "The Nativity Story" is not an incredible movie, by any stretch of the imagination (nowhere near, say, "The Passion of the Christ"). Yet, after witnessing those previously mentioned failures, there is something to be said for a simple film telling the story of the birth of Jesus Christ."The Nativity Story" recounts the events leading up to the birth of Jesus. Mary (Keisha Castle- Hughes) is given as wife to Joseph (Oscar Isaac), after which she becomes pregnant with the Lord's child. This doesn't go over so well in the community, for obvious reasons. But, the two commit to each other and must travel to Bethlehem for a census proclaimed by King Herod (Ciaran Hinds). The rest, as they say, is history!This is a very simple film. It's only about an hour and a half long, so it "gets to the point" in short order. I wish some of the acting performances would have had a bit more "oomph" behind them, but this was clearly a film where the tone was going to be somber and serious all the way through. Hence, a lot of far away stares and wide eyes. The parts with Herod seem a bit rushed and out of place, while there really isn't any high drama until the very end. Like I said, simple.If I had to guess (and I honestly do not know this for sure whatsoever), I would bet that "The Nativity Story" was made (just two years after "Passion of the Christ") to capitalize on the popularity of Mel Gibson's smashing success. I remember it being a big deal when this came to theaters, hailed as the first true-to-form, serious re-telling of the Christmas Story (which it actually pretty much is). Over the years, that "hype" has obviously died down, but this is still a film that can be thoroughly enjoyed during its season because it made the decision to stick to what it did best: just tell the story.

I think this is my favorite Christmas movie – one that I would love to see become classic for Christians. The film is much too understated for that to ever be likely. It is from the film's restraint and realism that much of its power flows. Mike Rich (writer) and Catherine Hardwicke (director) assume their audience is both intelligent and very familiar with the story. This allows them to often portray major plot points and character developments with great subtly. They are able to eschew much of the heavy handed techniques so often used to pummel the audience into knowing exactly who are the good and the bad, and what to fear and what to hope for. It is jarring, for instance, to contrast the understated approach this film uses to tell of the start of Christ's life with the overbearing approach used in the Passion of the Christ to tell the story of His death.The handling of the character Joseph is a good example of the film's craft. This is probably the only film I have seen where his character all but outshines that of Mary. The film does an amazing job of revealing his remarkable character. After all God did not only carefully select the mother of the Messiah but also the man who would act as His earthly father. Joseph is handed an impossibly crushing situation when he discovers that his beloved and pure wife is pregnant. He handles this torment with great grace choosing a course that will save both the life of his seemingly unfaithful wife and her unborn child. Throughout the story Joseph is shown coming to the aid of others often at considerable personal cost while avoiding credit for his good works. His intelligence also shines in the deft way that he foils a pair of crafty thieves who prey upon the unsophisticated and exhausted country travelers arriving in the big city of Jerusalem. The film wonderfully portrays how his very young and uncertain wife comes to fully appreciate the man she was told she must marry. In the process Mary falls deeply in love with him.There is a prevailing sense of kindness to this film. While the three Magi are used for some comical relief, there is also a clear sense of the depth of love these men hold for each other. This is shown by the initially grudging support Balthasar and Gaspar accord Melchoir for the year long quest he devised based upon his largely inscrutable readings of astrological signs and prophesies. All are overjoyed and overcome to be present at the birth of the Messiah, but Balthasar and Gaspar are also shown having a deep appreciation for what this glory means to their beloved friend.There is also the touching story of the very old, solitary, and kindly shepherd who shares his fire with Mary and Joseph telling them how his father said "We are all given something, a gift. Your gift is what your carry inside." Mary asks him "what was your gift?". "Nothing" he responds sorrowfully. Not long after the shepherd is present when the angel Gabriel announces the birth of the Messiah telling him to "rejoice – I bring you good tiding of great joy….". Mary encourages him to lay his hand on her newborn baby. In this way the filmmakers use this humble shepherd to represent all of mankind. His role helps to underline that Christ is a gift to us all.

The nativity story ,told by a woman with taste and sensitivity.Faithful to the gospels,while avoiding most of the Hollywood traps (except for the light that comes down from the sky,in the "Ben Hur" tradition) Much time is given over to the Magi ,but they were scientists after all,and their huge knowledge of astronomy makes sense.All the well-known episodes are featured: the angel telling Mary she would conceive the son of God,the way the Jews used to treat their supposedly unfaithful women,the visit to Mary's cousin Elizabeth who's expecting a baby too (Jesus ' cousin,John The Baptist ;Herode Antipas,featured in the movie ,will have him behead),and the crib.Traditionnaly,however, the Magi did not arrive before the Twelfth Night.It could be the first movie dealing with just the birth of Christ,the many others telling the whole story.You do not have to be a believer to appreciate it.

I'm a Christian, but typically don't watch Christian-themed movies because on the whole, they're cheesy and not well produced.From a strictly critical viewpoint (not of the biblical story it's based on, but how it was done) this movie was above par. That being said, it reminded me of 30 minutes of material stretched to 90 minutes, with lots of filler.I'm sure there are some out there who feel you can't be critical of material based on the bible. To me it's like basing my beliefs after watching the epic 'The Ten Commandments' with Edward G. Robinson as an Egytian overseer an accurate historical depiction.Overall, it was a decent film, not great, but OK. It had some touching scenes and good cinematography, but as good as it was, it was like drinking soda, just before all the fizz runs out.