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Nativity! Photos

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Movie Info

A British schoolteacher (Martin Freeman) must find a way to bring his former lover (Ashley Jensen), a Hollywood producer, back to London to film his class's Nativity play.

Rating:

PG (Mild Rude Humor|Brief Language)
Genre:

other, comedy
Original Language:

English
Director:

Debbie Isitt
Producer:

Nick Jones
Writer:

Debbie Isitt
Release Date (Streaming):

Nov 30, 2016
Runtime:

1h 45m
Production Co:

Mirrorball Films, BBC Films

Cast & Crew

Martin Freeman
Paul Maddens

Marc Wootton
Mr. Poppy

Jason Watkins
Gordon Shakespeare

Ashley Jensen
Jennifer

Alan Carr
Critic

Pam Ferris
Headmistress

Show all Cast & Crew

Critic Reviews for Nativity!

All Critics (29) | Top Critics (9) | Fresh (14) | Rotten (15)

The plot wouldn't pass muster as an episode of a CBBC drama, but its various twists and turns and grotesque emotional idiocies are engineered through some of the most wooden dialogue I've ever heard.

November 27, 2009 | Rating: 1/5 | Full Review…

Robert Hanks
Independent (UK)
Funny, sweet and family-friendly seasonal fare.

November 27, 2009 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

Angie Errigo
Empire Magazine
CBeebies if Ronnie Corbett was artistic director; filmmaking by committee, if that committee were made up of the esteemed members of Coventry City Council and chaired by Lenny Henry.

November 27, 2009 | Rating: 1/5 | Full Review…

David Jenkins
Time Out
Even with an engaging cast of primary school kids practically mugging the camera at every opportunity, this is toe-curling and predictable stuff.

November 27, 2009 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review…

Wendy Ide
Times (UK)
A pretty shambolic effort, despite its undeniable good-heartedness.

November 27, 2009 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review…

Andrew Pulver
Guardian
The show is a hymn to starry, happy-shiny fame and the fascinating business of how to make state-educated children feel valued gets lost amid the X Factor mugging. Next!

November 27, 2009 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review…

London Evening Standard
Maybe it's the fact I work with young people that adds another level of funny onto this film for me, but I really think this is a underseen and endearing festive treat.

December 2, 2020 | Full Review…

Charlotte Harrison
Charlotte Sometimes Goes to the Movies
Isitt is asking us to swallow a mighty big portion of back-story, one that is almost as indigestible as a third helping of mince pies.

November 24, 2020 | Full Review…

Jason Best
Movie Talk
Isitt has beautifully selected sweet, occasionally off-key, and frequently very funny young children.

September 18, 2020 | Rating: 3.5/4.0 | Full Review…

Richard Propes
TheIndependentCritic.com
A warm, funny and irreverent Christmas movie that ought to become a holiday classic alongside films like 'Elf' and 'A Christmas Story.'

December 14, 2010 | Rating: 8/10 | Full Review…

James Plath
Movie Metropolis
A plucky, well-meant enterprise reliant on its audience's festive goodwill.

December 4, 2009 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

Edward Porter
Sunday Times (UK)
Another British comedy limps into cinemas having inexplicably wrestled its way out of a television script meeting.

December 4, 2009 | Full Review…

Jason Solomons
Observer (UK)