It is easy to notice that Christmas movies usually have little to do with the reason for the holiday. Most of these Hollywood blockbusters, like "Home Alone," are so full of violence and comedy that the life lesson gets lost somewhere by the end of the film.
"The Nativity Story," opening on Dec. 1, breaks the mold. It is a story about the year before the birth of Jesus from the viewpoints of Mary and Joseph, the Three Wise Men and King Herod.
Director Catherine Hardwicke uses an MTV-like realism in her films that translates as a fresh attitude to the classic Nativity story. She is taking a big chance with the family-friendly religious story of the Nativity, especially after directing the troubling coming of age film "Thirteen" (2003) and the story of skateboarding pioneers in "Lords of Dogtown" (2005).
The movie is more than just a Christmas fairy tale or some fanatical religious retelling of the birth of Jesus. The birth is a mystical occurrence that relies on the faith of both the characters and audience, while the worldly realism of the group takes center stage. "The Nativity Story" is easily relatable for faithful Christians, but people from any belief system can enjoy the epic nature of the story.
The narrative begins long before Mary, played by Keish Castle-Hughes ("Star Wars: Episode III"), finds out that she is pregnant with the child of God. Mary is portrayed as youthful, strong and faithful.
Mary's parents inform her that she is to marry "a good man." This man is Joseph, played by Oscar Isaac ("All About the Benjamins"). Joseph does turn out to be an honorable man, but he is also considerably older than Mary.
Castle-Hughes really gives a convincing performance as the young, unmarried Jewish girl who was asked to be the mother of Jesus. The role isn't one that can be taken lightly. There is the chance to overplay or underplay Mary, but Castle-Hughes really does the role justice.
Screenwriter Mike Rich, who also wrote "The Rookie," develops humor in Mary and Joseph's relationship to break the somewhat awkward tension that builds between them.
Rich also writes the roles of the Three Wise Men with a lot of humor and makes them very likable characters. They are made up of Melchior, the scholar (Nadim Sawalha, "Syriana"), Balthasar, the astronomer (Eriq Ebouaney, "Kingdom of Heaven") and Gaspar, the translator (Stefan Kalipha, "The Sum of All Fears").
Rich produces a substantial story surrounding the three men. They have a remarkable relationship with each other and astonishing faith that the leader of men will be born.
The movie follows their story from when Balthasar comes to the conclusion that this leader will soon be born in Judea, to meeting Herod and offering their gifts to the baby Jesus.
King Herod has an interesting part in the movie. He is played by Ciar?Ae?n Hinds ("Amazing Grace"), and is no ordinary villain. In this story, the Roman Catholic Church uses Herod as a puppet, and Hinds portrays Herod as a ruthless yet frightened man.
The motive for Herod's tyranny is rooted in fear. Herod is afraid of the prophecy of a man that will become a great leader, and he does not know that it is not a man he is looking for, but a baby, yet to be born.
The film portrays a sense of realism and dramatization through expert cinematography. The scenes with Herod and his son Antipas are darker and both men usually have their faces covered in shadows while soldiers march in the background.
It is the small things, like the lighting, or the consistent use of close up shots that move this film from being enjoyable to being incredibly beautiful. The camera shots force the audience's attention towards the actors.
The standardized set up of the Nativity scene appears in the movie after the birth, with the animals set up just right. It was like peering under any good Catholic's Christmas tree, and it was perhaps just a little corny.
If the movie is seen without predetermined criticism or disbelief, it can be a moving experience for anyone.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
