The Nativity Story was the ideal Christmas film this year and really stunned me that it didn't do better for what it was worth. Part of that problem was it's release time so that it was gone from a lot of theaters before Christmas even approached. Nonetheless Nativity Story was brilliantly filmed and had some stunning cinematography and created an in-depth story into Mary, mother of Jesus and her struggle with the conception, birth and her promised husband. It was almost more of a love story about the two of them and the most brilliant thing the writer and director could have done for this film was that they managed to make it as non-religious as possible. I mean considering the story is about the birth of Christ which the Christian denomination relies on, they still managed to make this film watchable by anyone as a sort of beautiful story, or even a legend or a historical epic. You don't have to be of any school of belief to see this movie and enjoy it's romance and gritty story. Director Catherine Hardwicke is not exactly a seasoned director and yet she has had some real success with gritty real life stories like Lords of Dogtown and Thirteen under her belt. She transfers her ability to capture the human spirit into this story of Mary.

She also had the talent of the young and lovely Keisha Castle-Hughes as Mary. She is only sixteen years old and captures the intelligence, deep spirituality of the young mother and all the turmoil surrounding her lifestyle. This is the only film I have ever seen that portrays what negative fall out would have came upon Mary for showing up pregnant, unwed and scared. Castle-Huges shows an incredible maturity in her performance and is the perfect casting for the role. Also fairly new to the screen is Oscar Isaac who plays her promised husband and carpenter Joseph. Issac is twenty six years old, and they show a deep bond and an incredible love unfolding as they journey to his home city of Bethleham. Issac creates an unconditionally loving husband and man, a strong man of virtue and you see in him what would make a great father for the Son of God. Talented character actor Ciarán Hinds is barely recognizable in the role as the evil King Herod. His part is fairly small save for a few appearances and speeches but his role is effective and he makes the role of King Herod quite apparent as an adversary and the villain of the film. Also a notable performance is by another actress who is making her way into a terrific character actor Shohreh Aghdashloo (most notably for me from 24--The TV Series.) She plays Mary's cousin Elizabeth who nurtures and guides her spiritually through her first months pregnant.

The film is less about the actual birth of Christ and more a deep emotional character journey revolving around Mary. How does this sudden pregnancy and prophecy effect her? How does her engagement to Joseph effect her and their trip that sees them falling in love and her realizing his strength and finally the scenes in the manger where the child is born which is both glorifying and yet anyone can love these scenes. Filmed almost entirely in Spain they utilize some truly breath taking spots to re-create the rough terrain and the trip they would have before them. In no other film has Mary and Joseph been captured in such a truly deep and spectacular way. Now the film does drag a little and there seems to be more than necessary when it comes to finite details about the traveling. Also I found the "Three" wise men a little stereotypical and often inappropriately funny. They were deliberately used as comic relief which I will say was amusing with their sarcastic anecdotes and banter among themselves but it felt very out of place for the film and broke the more emotional parts. Everything is in tact from the story though and the screen writer didn't stray too far from the original story. I insist no matter who you are or what your beliefs that you see this film because it's beautiful and touching and I think anyone can enjoy it's strong message of love. 8/10

As I write this I am aware that the vote is averaging 6.3. If you could see my voting record you would know that I do not give a high vote easily. So why do I see this so differently than many of you. Is it because I am a devout Christian? I did not give the PAssion of the Christ a very high rating. So i feel that I can be even handed in seeing this as what it is.

1. I think that Ciaran Hinds played Herod as well as I have ever seen. The paranoia, and menace came through so well.

2. I think Elliot Davis' cinematography was beautiful. It made me feel that I was in a renaissance painting.

3. I was moved emotionally - which is not true of the Passion of the Christ movie.

4. The parts of the movie that were based on the Biblw were accurate - although I wished they had shown a choir of the heavenly host.

5. The parts of the movie that were based on conjecture or Catholic traditions were well thought out. I enjoyed the use of the Wise Men as comic relief.

I believe this movie so far is highly underrated.

Adny Smith

The Nativity Story is by no means a commercial portrayal of the Biblical story. I'll admit this. The power of the film and what, in my view, makes it far and away the best thing to happen to Christmas films in a long time is that it is indeed a realistic portrayal of human emotions.

When I say the previews for the release I knew that this was going to be something interesting. Since the movie is based on the lovable retelling of Jesus' birth, I knew that I wouldn't be disappointed. And after leaving the theaters, to say the least, I was pleased.

The acting was phenomenal. To say that I completely fell in love with the character of Mary, whom was brilliantly played by Keisha Castle-Hughes, would be a complete understatement. Someone who was so pure, obedient, and virtuous is in my mind what all of us should attempt to become. As Mary stated "I have broken no vow." It is clear that Castle-Huhghes has acquired the maturity and intellect that was essential in playing such a prestigious role.I loved how the film acknowledges that Mary was only a child when she became the mother of Jesus, and the movie shows the emotional transformation of Mary. During her pregnancy Mary had experienced the power of bravery, the depth of kindness, the miracle of life and the profoundness of love. As a result she had grown from a frightened and unaccepted child to a woman.

I appreciated the portrayal of Joseph in the film. In the Catholic Church Joseph is rarely though of however in this film he was incredibly realistic and acted exactly as I have always imagined Joseph. Though Joseph was frightened he was humble. As Mary stated, "he is a man that puts others needs before his." He protected, cared and loved Mary, despite what others thought of her. Congrats to Oscar Isaac for doing an amazing job as portraying Josephs character.

What I find to be the most brilliant about the film is that it is as nonreligious as possible. The movie is in many ways a gritty love story about a couple and their growing relationship through times of tragedy. Catherine Hardwicke has a reputation for directing films that portray the gritty teenage essence, and she takes her talent of amazing depictions of the teenage nature to the story of the beloved Virgin Mary. This is an excellent Christmas film and I encourage everyone to see it!