AmericanPapist Comments
Excellent review, Thomas. I saw on the official movie site that the writer had a tough time creating a script, simply because there's so little reference material.
I think, other than Biblical movies, there may be potential for lives of the Saints. St. Francis of Assisi comes to mind readily.
Nice review, Thomas. My wife and I attended the Atlanta screening last night, and we very much enjoyed the film. As you mentioned, the portrayal of St. Joseph is especially endearing.
My main disappointment was the attendance at the theater. There was supposedly a waiting list for tickets in Atlanta, but the theater was only about 1/2 full. It would have been nice if everyone who received tickets would have attended, but nevertheless, a good time was had by all who did.
I was so glad to read your review and comments on the questionable appropriateness for young children. The reviews I've seen rate the movie as "G" but the official website shows PG for some violence. I think the things you mentioned were very bad decisions on their part. Instead of this being able to be a totally perennial family-viewable classic. Many younger children will need to be kept from the room. What a shame I will not be able to take my very-perceptive 5 year old, nor will I be able to purchase a copy for her to watch until she is older. Thanks for your honest and timely review! I enjoy your blog!
Thanks, Thomas. That was very helpful.
Good review. My family and I saw an early showing last week and I agree with you on the portrayals of both Mary and Joseph.
In the trailer I saw it looked like Mary was going through birthing pains which is not accurate. Birthing pains are part of the curse of original sin. I know of women who have given birth with very little or no pain. So it follows that the Blessed Mother wouldn't have had any.
Heh. Don't tell me what happens at the end!
I went to see The Nativity Story last night, opening night. As a recently baptized Christian, I will tell you that this was a most welcomed, meaningful and revolutionary movie for me. It centers around the mother of Our Lord, Jesus Christ.
A superbly crafted and thoughtfully directed movie, it deserves a high rating. It is an unprecedented tribute to a woman who has been relegated to backdrop scenes. Finally, Mary gets to have a movie about her spiritual journey. In my own life, Mary was in the far distant background, giving her fleeting thought if I came across a Nativity scene at Christmas or if I heard the Beatles song, "Let It Be":
"When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me, speaking words of wisdom, let it be. And in my hour of darkness she is standing right in front of me, speaking words of wisdom, let it be."
It was made for a certain niche -- the ~200 million or so Americans who consider themselves Christians. Two years ago, I was not in this niche, being "spiritual, but not religious." Long story, short, it was Mary who pointed me to her Son, lead me on my own spiritual journey and caused a revolution in my heart, mind and soul.
Those who take the time to learn about her and her role do not, as I was mislead to believe, worship her. They simply respect and venerate her. Leading folks to her Son, as I learned, is her job. In this movie, her character is doing exactly that again for me and viewers who are called to see it.
Ever since she lead me home, Christmas has taken on such meaning as I never imagined. This year, I've started the season -- called the Advent season -- with a faith-based movie that allowed me to slide right into it in a beautiful, gentle and do I dare say, beatific way.
This movie experience is an exquisite gift for the heart and soul. Moreover, it is a feast for the eyes. I went past the inanimate objects of Nativity displays to a visually rich and "fleshed" out Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, shepherds, Magi and stable animals. The director of the movie, Catherine Hardwick, referred to a line in the script: "...the greatest of kings born in the most humble of places."
"Power," she says, "is not a physical power. It's not riches, it's not money, it's not control of governments and nations. It's a deeper power, spirituality."
At the end of the movie, the audience burst out in spontaneous applause. For each of us, Christmas is not at all about holiday parties, frenzied shopping and the trappings and physical accouterments. Now, THAT'S revolutionary.
When this comes out in DVD, it will be a part of our yearly Christmas tradition, reminding us what it is all about.
"Merry Christ-mas!" I hope you will make it meaningfully merrier by giving yourself this movie experience of the life of Mary.
Thanks for the review. I know a lady from my church was talking about taking her CCD class for the Sunday matinee. I can't remember how old the kids are, but I sent her the link to this review so she would know that it's a bit graphic so she can warn the parents.
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