Like a comforting glass of Whisky Mac. The story centers on Paul Maddens, a schoolteacher who's experiencing setbacks: he’s an unsuccessful actor, his girlfriend has left to pursue her career in America, and now he’s been tasked with directing the Nativity play. Things get complicated when a small exaggeration told to an old acquaintance spirals out of his control. The Christmas movie—a product designed for a specific audience at a particular time of year. Many holiday films have previously fallen short, either missing the spirit of the season or attempting something different during what should be a joyful period. It seems that these movies often face a no-win situation. Debbie Isitt's *Nativity!* isn’t likely to receive praise for being groundbreaking, and it shouldn’t; it's a familiar seasonal story. What is hoped for is that people will describe how utterly charming and heartwarming the film is. It's essentially a Christmas movie fulfilling its purpose. One of its strengths is a sense of authenticity that keeps its appeal genuine. There are no heavy-handed moments or obvious attempts to force a message onto the audience. Isitt allows the story and its appealing characters to unfold naturally, creating an immersive experience. The large group of children—chosen from local auditions by Isitt—are also endearing and humorous. And the adult actors don't disappoint either. Martin Freeman delivers a restrained performance as the lead character, while Marc Wooton, playing Mr. Poppy, a character who embodies the inner child in all adults, almost overshadows the younger cast members. It isn’t without flaws; a segment set in America feels rushed, and the actual Nativity conclusion does drag on slightly. However, these shortcomings are easily overlooked considering the overall effect. When I saw this film with my group in December 2009—four adults and four teenagers—there was a combination of tears and broad smiles as we left the cinema. It definitely achieved what it set out to do. An 8/10 rating feels appropriate. Note: December 2013. With a sequel coming out this Christmas, I thought it would be a good time to watch this film again. I’m happy to say that it still evokes warmth and remains a seasonal movie worth recommending. December 2015. Watched it again—still lovely.

Source on TMDB