The real Christmas story is told in Catherine Hardwick’s THE NATIVITY STORY. The THIRTEEN director presents the story of Christ’s birth, detailing the events leading up to the coming of Christians’ savior. Although the main storyline details the events surrounding Mary and Joseph, a good deal of time is also focused on King Herrod’s fear of Christ’s birth and of the three wise men’s prognostication and discovery of Jesus.
To my knowledge, this is the first major Hollywood production completely focused on the actual Christmas story. It’s a shame that THE NATIVITY STORY doesn’t seem to have the soul and spirit that such a religious tale requires. All of the events are well-detailed, the locales are wonderfully captured, but the performances and crucial moments in THE NATIVITY STORY draws out little emotion and power. The performances by Keisha Castle-Hughes and Oscar Isaac, as Mary and Joseph, are workman-like in nature. This is quite a surprise for Hughes, who won many hearts over with her emotionally-stirring and inspirational performance as a young girl fighting pre-conceived notions in WHALE RIDER. In THE NATIVITY STORY, Mary has the greatest burden and most wonderful event occurring within her, but Hughes and Hardwick tackle the situation rather routinely. Ciaran Hinds, as Herrod, is the lone acting standout. His Herrod wrings of passion, albeit misguided, and elicits a strong and worthy response. The birth of Christ is a wonderful story, and one which deserves a wonderful presentation of it.
Grade: C
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