The Nativity Story: Review

[cappie]

The Nativity Story is precisely that - a year in the life of Mary which culminates in the birth of Jesus. The screenplay is well grounded in both the heritage of the Old Testament as well as the text and spirit of the Gospel infancy narratives, giving the film an advantage over narratives which rely on piety traditions for visual presentation - Fr Peter Malone.

[url="http://www.catholic.org.au/filmreviews/viewreview.asp?fid=784"]http://www.catholic.org.au/filmreviews/vie...iew.asp?fid=784[/url]

[Tindomiel]

Steven D. Greydanus from the National Catholic Register also has a quite good prelimenary review here:

[url="http://www.decentfilms.com/sections/articles/nativitystory_junket.html"]http://www.decentfilms.com/sections/articl...ory_junket.html[/url]

[Sojourner]

[b]Using the "Passion Playbook"[/b]
This column was syndicated by Scripps Howard News Service on 11/22/2006

The players in studio power offices call it the "Passion Playbook."

At least, that's what the Variety -- holy writ in Hollywood -- calls the
slate of commandments that insiders are supposed to be following in order
to reach the $612 million audience that backed "The Passion of the
Christ." Or was it the $744 million audience that embraced "The Chronicles
of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe"?

Whether or not a savvy consultant has produced an actual "Passion
Playbook" doesn't matter. Everyone knows that studio executives are
becoming more interested in the "Christian market," even if admitting it
still gives many of them sweaty palms.

The latest high-profile test case is "The Nativity Story," a reverent epic
from New Line Cinema that premieres this Sunday (Nov. 26) at the Vatican.

"The success of the Passion ... made this film possible on a studio level.
I definitely think that from a studio and a financier standpoint, you look
at that and you go, 'Well the nativity story -- at Christmas -- could work
for us,' " said producer Wyck Godfrey, whose past projects included
standard studio projects like "I, Robot," "When a Stranger Calls" and
"Alien vs. Predator."

Nevertheless, he added, "I don't think anyone knows anything when it comes
to this stuff in terms of how to, exactly, get to this market."

Still, Godfrey said it made sense to take strategic steps to ensure that
the "core audience" of believers heard about this movie and that what they
heard was positive. It was crucial to follow the "Passion Playbook" even if
its contents are not perfect -- yet. And what are some of the guidelines?

* Seek the input of historians, theologians and clergy early and often and
try, try, try to nail the details. Most of all, find out how to avoid
making mistakes that will offend ecclesiastical shepherds whose opinions
fiddler out -- through print, radio and television -- to their flocks. It's
impossible to make everyone happy, but it helps to try.

* Make the story the star. In the case of the Passion, it helped that
director Mel Gibson was an A-list superstar who -- while already
controversial in Hollywood -- had made numerous films that were popular in
middle America. Still, he did not cast familiar faces and, with his daring
decision to use ancient languages and subtitles, put the focus on his
images and the story itself.

"The Nativity Story" features a cast drawn from eight or nine different
nations and the only familiar face is 16-year-old actress Keisha
Castle-Hughes of New Zealand, previously nominated for an Academy Award
for "Whale Rider."

"The stars of our movie are Mary and Joseph," said co-producer Marty
Bowen. "You have to be careful when it comes to casting something like
this, particularly with very iconic characters. If Tom Cruise is playing
Joseph, that's probably going to take a lot of people out of the movie."

* Court the core Christian audience to create buzz that will reach pulpits
and pews. Let test audiences in strategic Bible Belt markets see early
versions of the film and listen to the feedback. Hire publicists who
understand what sings in the parallel universe of Christian media and know
how to produce promotional materials that work in church sanctuaries and
Sunday school classrooms.

* It helps if the creative team includes Hollywood professionals who are
sincerely motivated to reach the "faith-based audience." In this case,
screenwriter Mike Rich is an articulate Christian known for writing
"Finding Forrester" and "The Rookie." Godfrey and Bowen grew up in strong
Christian homes before heading to Hollywood and both recently decided to
make major changes -- spiritual changes, even -- in their lives and
careers.

* Remember that religious consumers like quality entertainment, but prefer
not to be offended when they grab their popcorn. When seeking studio
support, noted Godfrey, he kept repeating this mantra: "Christians watch
'Lost.' " They also watch "Battlestar Galactica," Pixar movies, "Pirates
of the Caribbean" and many other hit shows.

Some people in Hollywood hear the words "Christian audience," said Bowen,
and they "immediately start thinking about micro-budgeted niche films that
cater to some specific group within Christianity as a whole. But our
argument to New Line was that 200 million Americans shouldn't be
considered a niche."

NEXT WEEK: Walking in Joseph's sandals.


Terry Mattingly (www.tmatt.net) directs the Washington Journalism Center
at the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities. He writes this
weekly column for the Scripps Howard News Service

[scardella]

Thanks! I was looking for a review!

[Tindomiel]

I looks pretty interesting. Maybe not as huge as the Passion, or anything like that, but I definitely would like to see it. Hopefully it will actually [i] come[/i] to Central Maine movie theaters.....

[DemonSlayer]

There's also article about the movie at the National Catholic Register which looks at the film's theological aspects, [url="http://ncregister.com/site/article/719"]"At Last, a ‘Shepherds and Wise Men’ Feature"[/url].
[quote]While Mary’s perpetual virginity and Immaculate Conception aren’t affirmed, they aren’t contradicted either. It’s fair to say that the movie’s driving religious sensibility is more Protestant than Catholic, but nothing here need be a serious obstacle for Catholic viewers.

There are a few unfortunate flourishes, such as “Favored one” rather than “Full of grace” in the greeting of Gabriel (Alexander Siddig) to Mary, a rather limp translation. But there is much to praise about The Nativity Story.[/quote][quote]The film’s faults, such as they are, tend to be of omission rather than commission. At the Annunciation, we have Mary’s words “Let it be done to me according to your word” — but not “I am the Lord’s handmaid.” Such omissions are all the odder precisely because the whole challenge with these scenes is the paucity of source material.

Alas, Mary’s Magnificat, originally omitted altogether, is treated only briefly and in part, in a voiceover at the end of the film. The move itself actually makes sense — yet why omit the magnificent opening line from which the prayer takes its name (“My soul magnifies the Lord…”)? Why include “The Lord has done great things” and omit “for me”? [/quote]

[melikalani]

I just got back from watching the film and it's quite beautiful!

The portrayal of Saint Joseph was the highlight of the film for me and the actor did a wonderful job! His eyes are so expressive and you could really see the absolute love and dedication Saint Joseph has for Our Lady. If anything, the film strengthened my love for Saint Joseph. They showed his relationship with Our Lady as so real and so sweet.

The Magi are quite good and funny, too! One of the best scenes is when the Magi arrive and present their gifts. The one presenting the gold said his gift was for the 'King of Kings' and the one with the frankincense said his gift was for the 'Priest of Priests' (that part went over well with the four priests I went with!).

The actress playing Mamma Mary could have been better. She didn't have much personality, in my opinion. One of the priests thought that it was a quite protestant portrayal of Our Lady. He didn't like that they showed Our Lady having labor pains. Saints Anne and Joachim didn't come off as I expected either?

Overall, it's a very good film, but there are weaknesses. It would be good for a young crowd, especially one that doesn't know the story very well.

[scardella]

Saw it last night.

I have to echo melikalani's sentiments. St. Joseph was great. Mary, not so much. I liked a lot of the symbolism they threw in, even if some of it was rather blunt. (I'm speaking here of the attack by the snake, the old shepherd w/ the lamb, etc.)

Overall, it seemed like this wierd mix of stuff that worked amazingly well, and stuff that came across as almost contrived to fit the scriptures.

Plus, you gotta love Gabriel's ha-fro.

[goldbug16]

It sounds pretty good. I would like to se it.

[kujo]

I didn't like it very much. They made Our Lady seem like an aloof, emo-airhead who spent most of the movie with a glazed look in her eyes. And what was with the Angel Gabriel? He looked like a strung-out hippie (who was obviously of Middle Eastern descent...). I think the film makers should've taken a page out of the movie "Jesus of Nazareth" where they don't attempt to recreate what an angel would look or sound like, opting instead to let the viewer figure it out themselves (if you haven't seen that movie, you REALLY SHOULD).

I dunno. It just seemed like a made-for-TV movie that you'd see on CBS or something. The only redeeming factor of the movie was the portrayal of St. Joseph. He came off as the patient, loving, humble man of God that I always envisioned him as.

All in all, I'd give it 2 stars out of 5, most of which coming from St. Joseph.

[DangerBoy]

I saw it and thought it was great. It was Nativitastic!!

[zealousrap]

I definately have a deeper love of St. Joseph...I kept thinking that this was what true manhood is all about. I agree in hindsight that Mary was definately aloof and could have been portrayed with more of the virtues that she has. I was very intrigued to see Mary and Joseph discuss Christ, and when he would get to the point where he would not be just a boy anymore...I believe she pondered on whether she would be able to see it in his eye, or if it might be indicated another way. Joseph wondering if he would even be able to teach him anything...

I apologise for revealing this, but I am wondering about this

Makes me muse on their reaction to Christ when they found him at the temple after looking for him...

[jmjtina]

I did expect Mary to be portrayed a bit more virtuous and prayerful.

and St. Joseph? You know my favorite scene was probably when Mary cleans his feet.

Gosh, he was such a great actor.

[fisher_man2]

[quote name='jmjtina' post='1138996' date='Dec 9 2006, 09:30 PM']
I did expect Mary to be portrayed a bit more virtuous and prayerful.

and St. Joseph? You know my favorite scene was probably when Mary cleans his feet.

Gosh, he was such a great actor.
[/quote]

It was so Cool!!!!

[Guest Rick777]

Just got back from the theaters. I have really mixed ideas about the film. I have to say at the beginning of the movie I almost wanted to walk out. Mary was portrayed as some stubborn, defiant, little girl. *Warning spoliers*-When she walked out on St. Joseph and her parents I almost laughed, I hardly think the future Mother of God would act like that. The whole..."Why am I being forced to marry a stranger?" thing was pretty dumb as well. As for the hippie angel...that's already been mentioned. I guess alot of little things sorta ruined what would have been a very good movie. I did come around towards the end of the movie though. It had it's nice little moments. St. Joseph was awesome, I think that was a big part of the movies "appeal". The movies nothing to rave about though.