reviewed by Charity Bishop
        

One of the most beloved stories in scripture is how Jesus came into being, through the spoken word of God and two extremely young, willing people to serve His will. It was a time of great tribulation in Judea. This is the first attempt that has been made to make a big-budget film about Mary and Joseph, and the miraculous baby born beneath a triumphant star. Overall, it is excellent, but individually, the characters needed more depth.

Judea lies beneath the heavy hand of Rome, through the leadership of King Herod (Ciarán Hinds), who is more concerned for his own well-being than that of his people. It has come time for the annual taxes and many families in the area do not have enough to pay their debt. Children, donkeys, and property are forfeit, among them the only pack animal owned by Mary's father. Young and naive of the world, Mary (Keisha Castle-Hughes) spends her hours working hard in the family business and selling bread to the older, wealthier widows of the district. Joseph, (Oscar Isaac) the local carpenter, has fallen in love with her, and asks for her hand in marriage. It is given. Mary is uncertain of the engagement. Then comes a messenger of God (Alexander Siddig) to tell her that she will bear the child of God, and future savior of her people.

Frightened but willing to serve her heavenly father, Mary agrees. Frightened for what it is to come, and the shunning she will receive from family and friends, she journeys to the house of her cousin Elizabeth (Shohreh Aghdashloo) who, miraculously, is carrying a child in her own age. Her husband Zechariah (Stanley Townsend) is very understanding toward Mary's plight, an emotion not shared by her family when she returns six months pregnant. In the meantime, three wise men from the East have been studying various prophecies and astronomy and believe that soon three planets will align, creating the illusion of a powerful star over Judea, and signifying the coming of the messiah. From there, the story follows the biblical account. It's one of the better-produced films I have seen, with a slew of decent actors and careful thought and preparation to its outline.

I know a great deal about the culture and time due to extensive research for one of my books, and for the most part the screenplay paints a realistic view of life during that time, including the brutality of the Roman soldiers and the egocentric traits of Herod. It introduces his self-serving son in a minor role (the Herod who would be alive during Christ's crucifixion) and pays careful attention to scripture as it unfolds the story. In that respect, it's very worthwhile. However, there is one crucial ingredient missing: Passion. Enthusiasm. Emotion. The Jews were an emotional culture, but none of that bleeds through, particularly in Mary. The one central force from which the story evolves, Mary is stoic to the point of being boring. She should have been the most likable, interesting character, but instead seems a banal presence around which other characters revolve. I don't know if it's Keisha's fault for not being enthusiastic about the role, the fact that the script doesn't give her much to work with, or poor directing, but she shows nothing ... not when the angel comes to her, or when she awakens in the night, or even when Joseph tells her he will take the baby as his own and be bound to her in marriage, even at the sake of being shunned right along with her. The most she cracks is a smile, where I expected abundant gratitude, even tears of joy. This is all the more sad, because the other characters are fabulous. You get a sense of evil from Herod, the wise men are appropriately humorous, and Joseph is awesome! Mild-mannered but strong, caring to the point of giving his last share of bread to the family donkey, and frightened when helping Mary deliver her child.

The film is rated PG for mild thematic elements. This includes the implication that a bull is about to be killed for a sacrifice, individuals in passing skinning dead animals, and some travel difficulties (Mary nearly drowns while forging a river, a donkey almost slips off a cliff, and two birthing scenes are reenacted). Mary is shamed when she returns pregnant, and most people turn their backs on her. Joseph faces similar scorn when it is believed that the child is his. There is a palm reader in Jerusalem. For its disappointments, The Nativity Story is very faithful in its approach, and make a fine traditional Christmas watch for most Christian families.