Nativity! (2009) 7/10

Starring : Martin Freeman, Marc Wootton, Jason Watkins, Ashley Jensen, Pam Ferris
Director : Debbit Isitt
Running Time : 106 mins

When primary school teacher Paul Maddens (Freeman) is given the task of producing the Christmas nativity play for the year, he stupidly brags that his ex-girlfriend Jennifer Lore (Jensen) is coming to see the play. The fact that she is now a Hollywood agent makes his head mistress Mrs Bevan (Ferris) believe that the school could be famous and, thanks to trainee teacher Mr Poppy (Wootton), the lie spreads like wildfire and Paul finds himself becoming something of a local celebrity.

This is a slow paced but well observed comedy that will appeal to all ages. The little white lie that gets blown out of proportion gives us an entertaining story with some great comic performances from the kids involved. Freeman may not seem like the best lead, but the very fact that he is understated makes the proceedings all the more charming as they unfold.

You’ll like this if you liked : Little Miss Sunshine