Nativity!

I don't get the level of hate this series of films seem to get, they're lighthearted, and make me laugh out loud.

Yes, you have to be in the mood for a bit of daftness, but let yourself go and have a bit of fun!

The first one in particular is really good, with a superb cast (it's like a who's who of British actors!), and Marc Wootton's Mr Poppy is a great comedy character. It's very, very British in tone which I love.

As for the kids, I don't find them annoying, which is unusual for me, so a big plus there!

Give the films a go, you might be pleasantly surprised.

Part of Nativity's charm is that it looks like an average TV drama, especially initially with its TV actors and production values, but as the film goes on you start to realise that this is so much better than a TV comedy drama Christmas special on BBC2. "Nativity!" is a Christmas classic, it's something adults and children can equally find funny with it's charming characters and uplifting spirit.

Martin Freeman plays a likably grumpy teacher who doesn't think much to Christmas after his girlfriend left him to be a Hollywood producer on Christmas day. Enter the star of the show Mr.Poppy! The amazingly hilarious dim-witted teaching assistant who plays a classic comedy character who you can't help but love. Mr.Shakespeare is also a brilliant panto villain who leads his fairly accurate, if not belated, private school to win 5 star reviews. That is until Mr.Poppy blurts out to everyone Martin Freeman's lie that a Hollywood producer is coming to film their pathetic attempt of a nativity.

From here on it's a fight to put on the best nativity play the world has ever seen and try to attract Hollywood to come and see them. "Nativity!" is so sickly you need a bucket ready at the end of the film, as you're stomach starts to dance around. But is also so amazingly uplifting that you can't help but love it! It's completely over the top nonsense with plenty of "as if!" moments but that's all part of the charm. Alan Carr also plays a brilliant nativity critic.

You'll be lucky to find a more jolly, funny and charming Christmas film than this. It's brilliant British comedy with a fantastic cast that will have you howling with laughter. The final 20 minutes feature incredibly catchy songs and hundreds of health and safety knock-outs. Some might say that it gets a bit too much, but for me it was pure charming escapism. "Nativity!" isn't perfect but I think that's the message of the film, nothing's perfect, just take things for what they are.

Paul (Martin Freeman) was once an aspiring actor, like his friends. One man, Gordon Shakespeare, became a topnotch drama teacher and puts on an annual Nativity Play (very big in Britain) that garners lots of attention. Another friend and love interest, Jennifer, is in Hollywood, now a bigwig producer. But, alas, poor Paul. He is now an upper elementary teacher in a private, Catholic school, where his salary is low and his dreams have been dashed. Enter Mr. Poppy (Marc Wootton)! He is an unconventional teacher's aide that has been deposited on Paul by the well-meaning principal, Mrs. Bevan (Pam Ferris). It seems Poppy is a relative of hers and she's trying to help. Also, Mrs. B announces that Paul will be the director of THEIR school's Nativity Play this time round. Paul is flummoxed and irritated, none of his students seem to be able to sing or act. Neverthess, they adore Mr. Poppy at first sight and, in truth, his odd ways excite them to do better work. One day, most unluckily, Paul runs into the snooty Mr. Shakespeare, who tells of his future, elaborate productions. Loosing control, Paul blurts out that, well, Hollywood in the form of Jennifer is coming to see HIS, Paul's, play. What a fib! Word gets around soon, thanks to Mr. Poppy, who overhears the conversation. Newsfolk descend on Paul's school to find out more. But, how long will it be before the truth comes out? Will it cost Paul is job? This is one funny British Christmas film. Unlike the States, where religious presentations are forbidden under the Bill of Rights, Brits put on pageants each year honoring the true meaning of Xmas, the birth of Christ. (See Love Actually). Only, there is always a fresh take, an added sparkle. Paul's play is no different, sporting new songs and new characters, complete with real barnyard animals. There are FOUR kings in Paul's show, for example, in order to give a shy boy his chance. Mr. Poppy's lyrics and brainstorms also make for a unique re-telling. As such, Freeman and Wootton are perfect foils for each other, the one a straight arrow, the other a different drummer, and both give hilarious performances. All other cast members, including Ms. Ferris, are wonderful, too, as are the darling kids. Then, too, production values, from sets to costumes to script/direction add to the overall merriment here. Therefore, as one might guess, this viewer recommends a showing of Nativity in the near future of most film fans.

He's a failed actor, his girlfriend has left him and gone to make it big in America, and now, school teacher Paul Maddens has to direct the Nativity play. Worse still, after a little white bragging lie to an old rival, Maddens finds things escalating out of his control.

Ah, the Christmas movie, a piece of work aimed at a certain market at a certain time of year. Many movies of Christmas past have been excruciatingly bad, either by losing sight of the holiday heart, or by going for a different angle at a season which is meant to be jolly. In the main then, the Crimble picture has been blighted by a train of thinking akin to damned if you do, damned if you don't. Debbie Isitt's Nativity! will not achieve any reviews proclaiming it to be refreshingly new, rightly so since it's a standard seasonal fare based story. What hopefully will be said is how utterly beguiling and warming the film is, so yeah! Basically a Christmas picture doing its job.

Chiefly in its favour is that it has a naturalness to it that keeps its charm grounded. There's no miracle in the offering here, no boink over the head with a sledgehammer to enforce its message. Isitt is happy letting the film and its delightful characters go with the flow, the result ending up as being a fully involving experience. It helps too that the army of children (plucked from local auditions by Issitt) are adorable and funny in equal measure. Not that the adults come up short either. Martin Freeman (Maddens) gives a wonderfully controlled performance as the central character, while Marc Wooton as Mr. Poppy, a character showing the child in all us adults, almost steals the movie from the delightful moppet squad. It has its faults, such as a trip to America that quickly loses momentum, and if we are honest then surely the actual Nativity finale goes on a touch too long. But such missteps are easily forgiven given the impact as a whole.

My cinema visiting group at Xmas 2009 consisted of 4 adults and 4 teenagers. As we filed out, there was a mixture of wet eyes and beaming smiles. So yeah! Job done for sure. 8/10

Footnotes: Xmas 2013. With a sequel hitting the theatres this Christmas I thought it time to revisit this film. Delighted to report that it still manages to warm the old cockles of my Xmas heart and remains a seasonal picture that I urge more folk to seek out.

Xmas 2015. Rewatched, still lovely.

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.