Reviews now on YouTube! | Watch here

Larsen On Film

  • Review Library
  • Subscribe
  • Why I’m Wrong
  • About
  • Books

Nativity Story, The

Didn’t The Passion of the Christ make this sort of sluggish, impersonal Biblical costume drama obsolete? The Nativity Story suffocates Scripture with the usual play-it-safe elements: pokey drama, tentative performances and a paint-by-verses script. The picture doesn’t blow the dust off those musty old costume dramas – it buries itself under just that sort of dustiness. A sullen Keisha Castle-Hughes (Whale Rider) plays Mary (I’ve seen more emotive Marys at preschool Christmas pageants), while promising director Catherine Hardwicke (Thirteen) buckles under the pressure of the material. This panders to the Christian market that embraced The Passion, delivering a Christmas story that can be safely consumed (and eagerly paid for). Yet don’t mistake it for religious art. It’s a trinket.

Recent Reviews

Superman (2025)

Action/Adventure Rated PG-13

“What’s a nice guy like Superman doing in a mean place like this?”

Only Yesterday (1991)

Drama Rated PG

“… gently, but profoundly, explores questions of memory, identity, and purpose.”

Throne of Blood (1957)

Drama Rated NR

“… a tale of fog and blood.”


Search Review Library

Sponsored by the following | become a sponsor



SUBSCRIBE


Sign up to receive emails

Sign up to get new reviews and updates delivered to your inbox!

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up!




FOLLOW ONLINE



All rights reserved. All Content ©2024 J. Larsen
maintained by Big Ocean Studios

TOP