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Review #325 of 365
Movie Review of The Nativity Story (2006) [PG] 101 minutes
WIP™ Scale: $12.00
Where Viewed: Colorado Cinemas Cherry Creek 8, Denver, CO
When 1st Seen: 2 December 2006
Time: 11:30 a.m.
Film's Official Website
DVD Release Date: unscheduled
Directed by: Catherine Hardwicke (Lords of Dogtown)
Written by: Mike Rich (Radio)
Featured Cast (Where You Might Remember Him/Her From):
Keisha Castle-Hughes (Whale Rider) • Oscar Isaac (All About the Benjamins) • Hiam Abbass (Munich) • Shaun Toub (Crash) • Ciarán Hinds (Miami Vice) • Shohreh Aghdashloo (The Lake House) • Stanley Townsend (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire) • Alexander Siddig (Syriana)
Soundtrack: order the CD below
Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word or less review of this film]
When given the task of writing the screenplay for one of the most important stories in to those of the Christian faith, the holy conception and birth of the Prophet Jesus, as was writer Mike Rich, and then directing it as a major motion picture, as was director Catherine Hardwicke, the duo had their work cut out for them. Would they make a Hollywood spectacle filled with Industrial Light and Magic® or would they create a simple story that would behold the miracle and be true to the time—over two millennia ago? Would they please Christians with a beautiful and timeless story, or would they be labeled profiteers along with the studio planning to make money off the perfect timing of the release to coincide with a build up toward Christmas—a holiday that, at least in the USA, continues to lose more and more religious significance as it become the a key to the solvency of the USA sales economy due to approximately 1/3 of all sales of retail goods sold in the two months preceding it? Were they in a lose-lose situation for this very reason as there is no way the film would not be perceived as commercially motivated and no way to appease Christians hoping for the most beautiful rendering of the story? Would Christians in the USA, where middle easterners have been vilified of late, be able to grasp the notion that Mary, Joseph, all of their neighbors, parents, and family members were Jewish middle easterners, all of whose descendents went on to become the Jews, Christians, and Muslims of today?
" The beauty in the choices made by the writer and director, to let the simplicity and elegance of the miracle stand on its own…is what makes keeps this film from becoming the commercial catastrophe it might have become had it been turned into a spectacle with stunt casting and million dollar special effects."
All great risks with no obvious rewards confronted the filmmakers and actors for the project. Meanwhile, short of the miracle of the immaculate conception and the attempts by King Herod to end any threat of prophecy toward his rule, it is arguable the story isn't long enough to consume a feature length film. In the end, Mike Rich wrote an elegant version of the story, weaving in the travels of the wise men for both mild comic relief and to add a more globally inclusive measure. Meanwhile, Catherine Hardwicke took a simple, rather than grand approach. She cast no huge names, she used simple not panoramic shots, there are virtually no special effects except a mildly glowing Arch Angel Gabriel (Alexander Siddiq). Sadly, her casting choice for Mary, the wonderful, strong but gentle, graceful but fierce, devoted yet independent young Keisha Castle-Hughes (Whale Rider) has blown up into controversy that is neither fair nor sensible as she was apparently unwed and pregnant during the shooting of the film. No offense to the beliefs of people whom, in 2006, still believe that marriage must precede pregnancy, but Ms Castle-Hughes's personal life should have nothing to do with whether she should or shouldn't play the blessed Virgin Mary. Should it? I mean, I have no proof, I've done no research, but I doubt that there's a cast member in the film that has lived a life without any sort of perceived sin. Is there a human being alive who could actually play the Arch Angel Gabriel who was such a perfect and trusted messenger of God? Well, in any case, while respecting the religious views of people who still scorn and would stone to death women who conceive out of wedlock, I should ask them quite simply to pay close attention to the film, and not to suggest that there will ever again be an immaculate conception, it does seem fitting to me to note that one of the themes of the story and later of the Prophet Jesus's messages from God focus on the nature of forgiveness and the idea that humans were not created on earth to judge each other, that should be left to God. How different a world this would be, if humans, especially those who profess to be Christians might actually practice just this one idea—leave the judgment to God. Worry about living your own life and not evaluating that of others. God, via holy scriptures, has given the message, but never has he asked humans to enforce his laws. Never, in fact, has he entrusted the imperfect human being with the task of even completely understanding the true perfection of his will. Yet far, far, far too many of his followers world wide take it upon themselves and have done so for millennia to either enforce their own imperfect interpretations on other humans or to act as judge and jury in passing judgment on their fellow human beings. Far worse these people become consumed with passing judgment and laying down the law based on their interpretation rather that with finding forgiveness in their hearts. In so doing, they commit the greatest sin of all for they presume the right and will of God, they act as God's hand and not as God's children. They act in the name of God, but have no right to claim his will; and, therefore, act in sin. While certainly, I have digressed from my straightforward review of the film, I felt it entirely essential given the controversy this young actress has endured from a snubbing by the Pope to smear campaigns in the media. I thought her portrayal of the Blessed Virgin Mary was one that would have made Mary proud.
As for the rest of the film, it has been labeled "dull". The story is certainly not dull. The story is what it is, simple, powerful of message, and significant in its purpose. People, repressed, taxed, tortured, murdered, and besieged by a horrible king controlled by the Roman Empire, believe in their redemption and salvation due to faith in God. And God sends not only them but the entire world a great Prophet to deliver his word and to remind mortal human beings of our obligations to each other, this earth, and to God. The telling of the birth story from his conception to his parent's flee to Egypt to save him from execution at the hands of Herod's soldiers, is what it is. It is not a Star Wars movie. To expect more of it is ridiculous. The beauty in the choices made by the writer and director, to let the simplicity and elegance of the miracle stand on its own, there isn't even a flash of light that visits Mary in her sleep, she just suddenly and simply is pregnant, is what makes keeps this film from becoming the commercial catastrophe it might have become had it been turned into a spectacle with stunt casting and million dollar special effects. Brad Pitt could have been Joseph, instead we get Oscar Issac, Keira Knightly could have been Mary, instead we get Keish Castle-Hughes and so on. Shohreh Aghdashloo and Shaun Toub are spectacularly understated as Mary's father and her dear relation Elizabeth.
Overall, The Nativity Story, is nothing more and nothing less than a very simple retelling of this important prophetic birth. It should be treated as so, respectfully, and tastefully completed.
As for the rest of the film, it has been labeled "dull". The story is certainly not dull. The story is what it is, simple, powerful of message, and significant in its purpose. People, repressed, taxed, tortured, murdered, and besieged by a horrible king controlled by the Roman Empire, believe in their redemption and salvation due to faith in God. And God sends not only them but the entire world a great Prophet to deliver his word and to remind mortal human beings of our obligations to each other, this earth, and to God. The telling of the birth story from his conception to his parent's flee to Egypt to save him from execution at the hands of Herod's soldiers, is what it is. It is not a Star Wars movie. To expect more of it is ridiculous. The beauty in the choices made by the writer and director, to let the simplicity and elegance of the miracle stand on its own, there isn't even a flash of light that visits Mary in her sleep, she just suddenly and simply is pregnant, is what makes keeps this film from becoming the commercial catastrophe it might have become had it been turned into a spectacle with stunt casting and million dollar special effects. Brad Pitt could have been Joseph, instead we get Oscar Issac, Keira Knightly could have been Mary, instead we get Keish Castle-Hughes and so on. Shohreh Aghdashloo and Shaun Toub are spectacularly understated as Mary's father and her dear relation Elizabeth.
Overall, The Nativity Story, is nothing more and nothing less than a very simple retelling of this important prophetic birth. It should be treated as so, respectfully, and tastefully completed.
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Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word review of this film]
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Other Projects Featuring The Nativity Story (2006)
Cast Members
Keisha Castle-Hughes
• Oscar Isaac • Hiam AbbassShaun Toub
• Ciarán Hinds • Shohreh AghdashlooStanley Townsend
• Alexander Siddig Director
Catherine Hardwicke
Writer
Mike Rich
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