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The
Nativity Story Review...
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... Tell us what you think here |
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It
might be time to take down the tree
and the tinsel but there's still time
to catch the latest bible-themed blockbuster.
ALOVE takes a look.
However much you think you
know the story of the events leading
up to the birth of Jesus, you should
still try to catch this film.
New Line, and screenwriter Mike Rich,
have tried to explore the very human
characters caught up in the biggest
story in the world. So we are taken
straight into the close-knit village
community where Joseph and Mary lived,
and given an insight into what life
was like.
Huge amounts of effort went into creating
scenes that were as accurate as possible,
with scripts pushed ceaselessly back
and forth between archaeologists, historians
and theologians. The cast were even
given training in animal husbandry,
cheese-making and crafts of the era
by those working day by day in a Nazareth
tourist attraction!
While a good proportion of the dialogue
in the film is fictional, the events
of the film are rooted firmly in the
gospel accounts, and there are plenty
of exchanges where the words of Scripture
make up the dialogue. Somehow this works
really well, bringing fresh impact as
we see those words lived out.
The film starts with the 'slaughter
of the innocents' - Herod's troops pouring
into Nazareth to kill any boy of two
or less, and the action then rewinds
to tell of the events leading up to
this.
The drama and miraculous nature of God
dealing with Zechariah and Elizabeth
are handled well - although any part
where the voice of God has to be cast
is always going to feel a bit unsatisfactory
- and there are moving scenes later
on between Mary and Elizabeth.
One of the best things about the film
is how the screenwriter explores the
character of Joseph in particular, and
also of Mary. What must it have been
like for them? Mary's transformation
from a carefree teenager to a young
woman shunned by her contemporaries
because the apparent shame of pregnancy
before marriage, and then to a wife
with a divine role to play, is particularly
effective.
And Joseph is explored in detail, given
that there is not much to go on in the
Bible accounts. He wrestles with the
social exclusion of his friends and
family, but his courage and determination
to stick by Mary, and fulfil his angel-delivered
commission is very well portrayed.
There are a few schmaltzy moments where
the iconic nature of the subject matter
gets the better of the film-makers -
particularly the beam of light from
the star down onto the stable near the
end, complete with heavenly choirs 'aaahhing'
in the background - but you can forgive
them that, particularly for a US audience.
Occasionally it's a little too clean
and wholesome, but largely they do present
a real telling of the story without
the characters being too holy and one-dimensional.
The magi/wise men are given plenty of
screen time, and there are occasional
flashes of humour there, particularly
from the short one who looks like Joe
Pesci (remember the two incompetent
house burglars in Home Alone? He was
the short one), and Herod (a bit of
an Alan Rickman lookalike) is suitably
paranoid, evil and calculating.
From a family friendly point of view,
there is very little to stop people
taking relatively young children in,
although I'd say you'd struggle to keep
the interest of those younger than about
8. The slaughter of the innocents could
be a bit frightening for youngsters,
although you don't see any blood and
gore, and there are couple of births
(!) with yelling aplenty and squidgy
babies. The Roman soldiers are cocky
and a bit brutal, but there's no major
violence on screen.
All in all, it's beautifully shot with
excellent performances from the leading
characters. It will be a moving experience
for Christians and a good conversation-starter
for those who aren't believers.
(Reviewed in conjunction with www.inspiremagazine.org.uk)
Certificate: PG
Length: around 90 minutes
Out: 8 December
Stars: Playing the role of Mary is Keisha
Castle-Hughes (Queen Naboo in Star Wars:
Episode III - Revenge of the Sith and
Paikea in Whale Rider). Oscar Isaac
is Joseph, and Elizabeth is played by
Shohreh Aghdashloo (the memorable wife
of an Arab terrorist in TV’s 24,
and Dr Kavita Rao in X-Men: The Last
Stand).
Website: www.thenativitystory.com |
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Youthwork -
The Partnership ...
ALOVE,
Youthwork Magazine, Youth For Christ, Spring Harvest and
Oasis are working together to equip and resource the Church
for effective youth work and ministry. |
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