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Bookmark this pageNativity (2009)
Director: Debbie Isitt
Movie review
From Time Out London
Here is a list of things that sprang to mind while watching Debbie Isitt’s festive putting-on-a-show ordeal, in which Martin Freeman (below) stars as a cantankerous primary school teacher battling to stage a nativity play with the help of an infantilised tramp called Mr Poppy (Marc Wootton): bad Comic Relief sketches; pushy parents desperate to exploit the fact that their child can do a handstand; film posters that depict a man shrugging while surrounded by screaming children (cf ‘Daddy Day Care’, ‘Cheaper by the Dozen’ and any other crèche-com you can think of); ‘The Vicar of Dibley’; garden fêtes; seasonal Asda adverts; Michael Barrymore’s ‘My Kind of People’; a slow week on ‘X Factor’; the myth of Middle English quaintness; the bad ‘Carry On’ films; CBeebies if Ronnie Corbett was artistic director; filmmaking by committee, if that committee were made up of the esteemed members of Coventry City Council and chaired by Lenny Henry; a large-scale cloning experiment involving the kid from ‘Jerry Maguire’; films for people who don’t like films; community theatre with delusions of grandeur; Butlins during low season; a future dystopia where Simon Cowell rules by showbiz decree; anything that Cilla Black has been involved in after her music career; tuck shops; life-insurance ads fronted by Frank Windsor; a Radio Times Xmas double issue cover circa 1988; ‘It’s a Royal Knockout’; the dank smell of village halls; the dressing-up box of a gone-to-seed hospice; John Shuttleworth sans the irony; a tartrazine-spiked reservoir; spending the entire festive season stranded at Heston Services.Author: David Jenkins
Time Out London Issue 2049: 26 November - 2 December, 2009
User reviews of this film
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- Jac said...
- Posted on Jan 06 2010 08:48 It seems that someone like jon Ross can pass judgement and everyone else dare not risk their cred by agreeing to differ ! ... Everyone I know who has seen this film really enjoyed it . It touched all emotions . For normal people who love life it's great . If you hate Xmas and live a life which revolves around shallow people who always have a glass half empty and hate kids it's not the film for you but for the rest of you ... Go and see it , the fact it's still showing after Xmas with no help from mr Ross or a biig budget speaks for itself
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- Tracey said...
- Posted on Jan 03 2010 16:44 I will be adding this film to my collection when it comes out. A real feel good film and fab that it is british. Not sure what reveiwers expect to see in a Christmas film anyhow. Better than the usual American dribble!
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- jessicaxx said...
- Posted on Dec 31 2009 11:21 i loved this film it was really good i want to go and see it again
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- danni said...
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Posted on Dec 31 2009 01:40
Uplifting movie !! I really enjoyed every minute of it.
Makes you desire to have a new baby - Report as inappropriate
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- al lon las said...
- Posted on Dec 30 2009 20:48 great movie loved the parts when mrpoppy the LSA was talking about gabriel going down a dethslide
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- Pete O said...
- Posted on Dec 30 2009 09:34 How a reviewer can be so wide of the mark is beyond me. Seems to be a cse of he thinks he is just to clever and knowing to let his face break out in a smile - because that is what happened to everyone in the cinema - to a man, woman and child we all had fun and took it for what it was - a warm funny and thankfully Bristish film suitable for all the family.
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- jessie sainty said...
- Posted on Dec 28 2009 18:51 Its fan dabby dosy it the best film ive ever seen in my life ever anyone would like it even babys it helerias id love to see it agan every day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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- Tim said...
- Posted on Dec 28 2009 12:15 Its rather sad when reviewers just don't get the point - and then broadcast the fact. Brilliant fun on all sorts of level - unless of course you try and take it seriously. Perfect Christmas family entertainment.
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- Ruth said...
- Posted on Dec 28 2009 11:02 Brilliant start to the Christmas holidays. We went as a family with children aged 8,11, and 13 and we all found it hilarious. For those parents who have sat through the school nativity, there is so much they will recognise here.
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- Mick said...
- Posted on Dec 23 2009 19:29 I can't imagine what Martin Freeman and Clarke Peters were thinking of when they agreed to do this film. It was beyond dire. I asked my 6 year old grand-daughter if she wanted to see it again and she said no. Toe-curlingly bad movie.
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- Beccysmum said...
- Posted on Dec 23 2009 17:04 Went with my daughters and grandchildren, and we (and the rest of the audience) laughed from start to finish. This is a fantastic feelgood film - age range of our kids was from 4 to 10 and every one of them loved it, as did the adults. Hijghly recommended!
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- Beccysmum said...
- Posted on Dec 23 2009 17:03 Went with my daughters and grandchildren, and we (and the rest of the audience) laughed from start to finish. This is a fantastic feelgood film - age range of our kids was from 4 to 10 and every one of them loved it, as did the adults. Hijghly recommended!
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- Debbie said...
- Posted on Dec 22 2009 21:28 Brilliant and funny ...... probably the best film iv seen in a cinema yet! :)
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- claire said...
- Posted on Dec 22 2009 14:19 Loved this film brought the fun back into Christmas. There is lots of laughter and tears. My daughter who is six wants to go and see it again it was the first time she didn't speak through a film she was that entertained.
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- Hannah said...
- Posted on Dec 22 2009 13:49 The 2nd best christmas movie I have ever seen (after elf) Actually I think it is the vest. I loved it and am going to buy it when it comes out on dvd to watch before Christmas next year. All the reviews said it was rubbish but they were totally wrong. I would even go see it again in the cinema if I had time in amongst all the other films I see a year. (32 so far :) )
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Cast & crew
Director: Debbie Isitt
Cast: Ashley Jensen, Martin Freeman, Pam Ferris, Alan Carr, Marc Wootton, John Sessions, Rhydian Jones, Ricky Tomlinson full cast
Genre(s): Comedy
Rated: U
Duration: 106 mins
UK Release: Nov 27 2009
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