The Nativity Story (C+ or 2.5/4 stars)
Jesus Christ is born in 'The Nativity Story', a historical drama directed by Catherine Hardwicke. This film chronicles the journey to Bethlehem of 2 people, Mary & Joseph (Keisha Castle-Hughes, Oscar Isaac), her miraculous pregnancy, and the birth of the child who would take away the sins of the world, Jesus Christ. God made her pregnant. The heaven-born prophecy would challenge the course of an empire; all thanks to this little miracle. 'The Nativity Story' feels historically accurate. It's a slow, but beautifully shot film that lets you see what Joseph had to deal with. I just wish it were infused with a little narrative spark now & then.
Nazareth: Mary works in the fields & hopes that the tax collectors won't take their land away from her hardworking father. She learns that she will marry Joseph, a man she doesn't even know. He's a 'good man', so although the arranged marriage is against her will, she'll acquiesce. Meanwhile, Mary receives a visit from the Archangel Gabriel who tells her that she'll be impregnated by the Holy Spirit; giving birth to the Son of God! With her head spinning, she visits her cousin Elizabeth (Shohreh Aghdashloo). She, herself, is pregnant. It appears to be another miracle as she's of an advanced age.
When Mary returns home, scandal breaks out because she's obviously pregnant (and not by Joseph). Although he's furious, an angel appears to him & assures that she was not unfaithful. When King Herod (a great Ciaran Hinds) calls for a census of the land, Mary & Joseph must return to Joseph's home village. This, of course, is Bethlehem. Here, in a manger, Jesus is born. And a variety of wise men, shepherds, & other townsfolk are there to welcome the miracle.
Surprisingly, the most engaging aspect of this story is the King Herod subplot; though, it's not given much screen time. It's interesting because, while he's a decent King, he's driven mad by the prospect that the Messiah could take control of his empire. His ruthless slaughtering of males under the age of 2 is something that's hard to fathom. Herod did not realize that Jesus would be a man of peace, not war. So, while this angle of the story is intriguing, other parts (the straightforward depiction of the trek from Nazareth to Bethlehem) suffer, a bit.
The 'birth' of Jesus is not as compelling as his 'death'. But because it's all such great literature, a great movie could make it compelling. It just falls short here. Some things I enjoyed: 1) the humorous depiction of the journey of the 3 wise men. 2) Tasked to convey both anger & ultimate forgiveness ... Oscar Isaac is impressive. 3) And yet, Keisha Castle-Hughes' Mary is a mixed bag for me. Her Mary is portrayed as either minimalistically pleasing or aloof. One interpretation is good, one isn't. 4) The nativity sequence, cinematography, sets, costumes, & are gorgeous. The thing is, most of the characters are too mannered, here. And the story is too solemn, too conventional to deem it anything other than, well ... soggy. 'The Nativity Story' should be transcendent, but its execution is slightly uninspired.
Nazareth: Mary works in the fields & hopes that the tax collectors won't take their land away from her hardworking father. She learns that she will marry Joseph, a man she doesn't even know. He's a 'good man', so although the arranged marriage is against her will, she'll acquiesce. Meanwhile, Mary receives a visit from the Archangel Gabriel who tells her that she'll be impregnated by the Holy Spirit; giving birth to the Son of God! With her head spinning, she visits her cousin Elizabeth (Shohreh Aghdashloo). She, herself, is pregnant. It appears to be another miracle as she's of an advanced age.
When Mary returns home, scandal breaks out because she's obviously pregnant (and not by Joseph). Although he's furious, an angel appears to him & assures that she was not unfaithful. When King Herod (a great Ciaran Hinds) calls for a census of the land, Mary & Joseph must return to Joseph's home village. This, of course, is Bethlehem. Here, in a manger, Jesus is born. And a variety of wise men, shepherds, & other townsfolk are there to welcome the miracle.
Surprisingly, the most engaging aspect of this story is the King Herod subplot; though, it's not given much screen time. It's interesting because, while he's a decent King, he's driven mad by the prospect that the Messiah could take control of his empire. His ruthless slaughtering of males under the age of 2 is something that's hard to fathom. Herod did not realize that Jesus would be a man of peace, not war. So, while this angle of the story is intriguing, other parts (the straightforward depiction of the trek from Nazareth to Bethlehem) suffer, a bit.
The 'birth' of Jesus is not as compelling as his 'death'. But because it's all such great literature, a great movie could make it compelling. It just falls short here. Some things I enjoyed: 1) the humorous depiction of the journey of the 3 wise men. 2) Tasked to convey both anger & ultimate forgiveness ... Oscar Isaac is impressive. 3) And yet, Keisha Castle-Hughes' Mary is a mixed bag for me. Her Mary is portrayed as either minimalistically pleasing or aloof. One interpretation is good, one isn't. 4) The nativity sequence, cinematography, sets, costumes, & are gorgeous. The thing is, most of the characters are too mannered, here. And the story is too solemn, too conventional to deem it anything other than, well ... soggy. 'The Nativity Story' should be transcendent, but its execution is slightly uninspired.