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 |
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. Written by Anonymous
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.