AmP advance movie review: The Nativity Story

I had the privilege of attending an advanced screening of New Line Cinema’s The Nativity Story this evening. I'm excited about the movie for several reasons, one of which being that if it is successful in theaters we could witness our hopes come true for a renaissance in biblical films. However, while I found many good and praiseworthy elements in this movie, I also think it lacks some of the polish, direction and wholeness it could have had.

First, the many good things in the movie. The story, on the whole, is extremely faithful to the biblical account of the events it portrays (the prophesy made to Zechariah through the flight into Egypt). The additions the movie makes are also, on the whole, well within the realm of what reputable historical scholarship tells us about the situation in Israel during the time of Christ’s birth. The movie is liberal with its quotations from scripture, and integrates the relevant passages seamlessly into the lives and onto the lips of its characters.

Again, the historical accuracy is top-notch. Really, Hollywood has gotten the creation of lifelike and comprehensive sets and costumes down to a fine science, and I think one of the best things the movie does is remind its viewer just how real - real in all the little details - is the way of life that the Bible presents to us. One gets a very full glimpse at what life at that time was like. Frequently passed-over details of Mary’s life (such as the shame she would have probably experienced at the hands of her village for being pregnant and not married) comprise the real drama and exposition of the movie. In other words, what lies tucked beneath the verses or given brief mention in the gospel narratives receives a more proper treatment in the onscreen dramatization. And in that sense, this is a movie that will help one get in to the proper Christmas mindset – it promotes meditations upon the events of and surrounding the Incarnation.

The possibilities for dramatizing other biblical stories and events are staggering. It should be remembered, biblical stories were the subject of “mystery plays” and other dramatic retellings for hundreds of years, and they also used to be the subject of many Hollywood big budget dramas (The Ten Commandments, and many others). With Hollywood’s current lack of ability to pen worthwhile original storylines for its movies, hopefully we’ll see more big-name studios going to the bible for their dramatic inspiration. They could do much worse, and have.

But now a couple of the flaws (or more softly, insufficiencies) I found. The movie seems undecided which way it wants to go. On the one hand it wants the deep drama associated with presenting one of the most incredible events in human history, on the other hand the movie is so scared of coming across too heavy that it finds itself obligated to sprinkle (and sometimes spray) comedic relief wherever it can. The Three Wise men, for instance, end up acting more like the Three Stooges than anything else. The looks and reactions of the main characters to the difficulty of their situation and the uncertainty of their future more often provoked nervous (and heartfelt) laughs from the audience than concern. Granted, there are many poignant moments in the movie, and nothing can draw tears like seeing the story of Jesus Christ’s birth portrayed on the big screen with Hollywood’s full light and sound magic. But nevertheless, the constant switching between sadness and slapstick was a bit jarring, and not as polished as it could have been.

Second, the movie’s portrayals of Elizabeth and Mary giving birth – of course a central part of the plot – were a bit too intense to make it an easy family movie choice. Added to this fact the decision to begin the movie with a rather frightening episode from the slaying of the infants, a few scenes of crucifixion, and a young girl being dragged off by the Romans for a future of forced prostitution, and I’m left in a quandary. Did New Line want this to be the perfect family holiday movie? If so, then why all the labor screams, primitive birthing techniques and babies being put under the sword? In the movie’s quest for realism and dramatic impact I think they might have unwittingly passed over the boundaries of what most Christian parents will probably want their younger children seeing, at least if they want to postpone giving their children the full explanation for where babies come from, what crucifixion looks like and what Romans do to the daughters of Jewish peasants who don’t pay their taxes.

Sadly, the characterization of Mary I found to be rather shallow and unsatisfying (in contrast to Joseph, who comes off much better). While some of the attributes we classically ascribe to Mary can be seen (introspection, patience, kindness), the general impression the movie gives of Mary is rather one-dimensional. Now, I understand that capturing Mary in all her complexity and richness is a tall order, but still, Mary’s introspection more often felt like youthful petulance and her patience more like apathy. But perhaps my opinion on this will change after I see the movie again. There is one very beautiful scene where she offers the baby Jesus to one of the shepherds in the stable. I saw it as a wonderful example of Mary always wishing to bring humanity to her Son. And I guess one could argue that there are enough little moments such as that which go far in giving Mary her full due as the most blessed of creation.

I promised myself in advance to keep my review under a thousand words, so I’ll cut my comments off here. I’d say once again that I did enjoy the movie, and would recommend it to others (with the reservation about small children I’ve mentioned). The movie could have been far, far worse, and I am infinitely thankful that I am only left to pointing out small deficiencies instead of bemoaning a problematic movie that could lead people astray.

The Nativity Story is just the beginning, and I hope there will be many other movies like it in the future that pick up where it left off in retelling us the greatest story ever told.

AmP rating: 4 out of 5.

NB: The advance showing I attended was organized by the Maximus Group and Holy Trinity Apostolate, whom I heartily thank for their good efforts.