Nativity! (2009)

An uptight but secretly heartbroken primary school teacher's little white lie about Hollywood coming to see his class' nativity play grows like wildfire in his rag-tag school low on self-esteem.

Director:

Debbie Isitt

Writer:

Debbie Isitt (screenplay)

Stars:

Martin Freeman, Marc Wootton, Jason Watkins

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Martin Freeman	...	Paul Maddens
Marc Wootton	...	Mr. Poppy
Jason Watkins	...	Gordon Shakespeare
Ashley Jensen	...	Jennifer Lore
Pam Ferris	...	Mrs. Bevan
Alan Carr	...	The Critic
Ricky Tomlinson	...	Lord Mayor
Rosie Cavaliero	...	Miss Rye
John Sessions	...	Mr. Lore
Phyllis Logan	...	Mrs. Lore
Clarke Peters	...	Studio Boss
Geoffrey Hutchings	...	Father Tom
Matt Rippy	...	Harrison
Rhydian Jones	...	Studio Receptionist
Selina Cadell	...	Oakmoor Headmistress

Storyline

This Christmas, primary school teacher Paul Maddens is charged with producing the school's nativity play. Competing against the posh rival school for the honor of best reviewed show in town, the stakes are raised when Paul idly boasts that his ex-girlfriend Jennifer, a Hollywood Producer, is coming to see his show with a view to turning it into a film. The only trouble is - they haven't spoken in years. With eccentric assistant Mr Poppy fuelling his 'little white lie', Maddens suddenly finds himself a local celebrity and at the center of quarreling parents and over-excited children desperate in their bid for fame and fortune. Maddens' only hope is to get back in touch with Jennifer and lure Hollywood to town so that everybody's Christmas wishes come true.

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Plot Keywords:

low self esteem | exclamation point in title | punctuation in title | primary school teacher | first part | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Family

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for brief language and mild rude humor

Did You Know?

Trivia

When Mr Maddens and the children are running in Hollywood Studios, it can be seen they are actually on location in Hollywood, as the set for fictional medical drama, Greys Anatomy, can be seen.

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Goofs

When Mr Maddens puts down the 'Christmas Post' box, he leaves it at a wonky angle. A few seconds later, it is straight again without any indication that it had been straightened.

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Crazy Credits

End-credits dedication: "This film is dedicated to inspirational teachers everywhere."

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Connections

Followed by Nativity 2: Danger in the Manger! (2012)

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Soundtracks

Jingle Balls
Arranged and performed by Robert Navarro (as R. Navarro)/ Bret Levick (as B. Levick)/ S. Spieker

User Reviews

Warm and cuddly, if very predictable, Brit flick

Nativity centres around a 30/40something primary school teacher who, being a loser in love, has allowed himself to become bitter and resentful towards his pupils.

Needless to say he needs to win back the love of his life and re-find his love for his job, and people in general.

It comfortably falls back on the rich British heritage for nicey nice romcoms and does a fair job. Not one aspect of any of the characters came as any surprise or helped to enrich a two dimensional plot - but who cares, its a Christmas heartwarmer and it does its job well.

Marc Wootton, in particular, was excellent as Mr Poppy and both his visual performance and his well drawn out character were responsible for the majority for the laughs - the remainder falling on the narrow shoulders of a funny looking kid, well cast for his comedic value, but possessed of a face that I was sick of seeing after 90 minutes of obvious set ups, but then that's probably because I'm as misanthropic as the lead character!

I took my seven year old daughter, and she absolutely loved it. If you're not a parent and hate children, this is definitely not for you. If, on the other hand, you love Christmas and still have a tender, warm spot in your heart then you could do a lot worse than to go and see this.

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 November 2009 (UK)

Also Known As:

Nativity!

Filming Locations:

Kenilworth, Warwickshire, England, UK

Box Office

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$8,496,009

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mirrorball Films, BBC Films, Screen West Midlands

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color