Nativity (2009)

Glug a pint of seasonal spirit before watching Debbie Isitt’s mish-mash of show-must-goon generics, bittersweet Brit-comedy realism and Hollywood endings.

Two primary school teachers compete over their nativity plays; when Martin Freeman’s down-trodden Mr Maddens boasts that “Hollywood” will attend his in the shape of his now-Stateside ex (Ashley Jensen), his fib spawns unwanted expectation.

Unfortunately, likeable lead turns from Freeman and Marc Wootton can’t fix the plot holes.

The half-baked twists presume on our goodwill, which snaps when the closing production piece outstays its welcome.

 

Read the full Nativity review