Nativity!

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Nativity!

PG

2009

1h 45m

Holiday

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

48%

Tomatometer

29 Reviews

67%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

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.

Robert Hanks

Independent (UK)

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.

Rated: 1/5

Nov 27, 2009

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Angie Errigo

Empire Magazine

Funny, sweet and family-friendly seasonal fare.

Rated: 3/5

Nov 27, 2009

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David Jenkins

Time Out

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.

Rated: 1/5

Nov 27, 2009

Full Review

Charlotte Harrison

Charlotte Sometimes Goes to the Movies

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.

Dec 2, 2020

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Jason Best

Movie Talk

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.

Nov 24, 2020

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Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

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

Rated: 3.5/4.0

Sep 18, 2020

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Ben W

Hi. Hollywood satire, actually. A lonely depressed man is cheered up by a friend. I've seen this film, and it made sense. But I've also been to school, and peer pressure is not the same as being happy. Thank you.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/01/25

Full Review

Daisy F

Such a brilliant film. Perfect to watch with all the family. The critics really don’t get this and don’t seem to have a sense of humour. The kids are outstanding and it is absolutely laugh out loud.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/29/24

Full Review

Simon G

All critic reviews of this are depressing and show that film critics really have no idea. This film is one of the most popular Christmas films, and every single year millions come back to watch it. The BBC recognise this as they add it to iplayer each Christmas without fail. If films like “violent night” rate better than this (which it is) then I really have lost hope in film critique.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/24/24

Full Review

Mark J

Some moments of this make me come back to it each year but overall not up to standard. Clearly some plot issues you’d expect in a thing like this and children being auto-tuned to death can make it a bit painful.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

12/22/24

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Evie B

These “reviews” are ridiculous. You’re all hypocrites - we know you all watch this every Christmas so don’t even deny it. The plot is heartwarming, funny and even serious at some points so don’t go around saying it’s “just for kids” or whatever you idiots have come up with. Critics are just depressed, allergic to the idea of fun. Should be rated 100% on both sides. I expected better.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/18/24

Full Review

Stephen B

Spitefully bad. Made me want to hurl things. I don't recognise any of the cosiness or warmth that others seem to see in it. It's just dreadful. I can only imagine that other adults have been more favourable than I because the sound of their small children laughing at it filled them with cheer.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

12/18/24

Full Review

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Debbie Isitt

Director

Martin Freeman

Paul Maddens

Marc Wootton

Mr. Poppy

Jason Watkins

Gordon Shakespeare

Ashley Jensen

Jennifer

Alan Carr

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Synopsis

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.

Director: Debbie Isitt
Producer: Nick Jones
Screenwriter: Debbie Isitt
Production Co: BBC Films, Mirrorball Films
Rating: PG (Mild Rude Humor|Brief Language)
Genre: Holiday, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 30, 2016
Runtime: 1h 45m