the movieGOOMBA

A lot of critics didn't like this film, but I thought it was exquisite. Whether or not you believe that Jesus is the messiah/saviour or even the most basic fact of his actual existence, this film provides such a charming take on the story of the birth of Jesus, factual or fictitious.

There were some weaknesses in The Nativity Story. I think that many of the critics were expecting a film of epic proportions, mainly because of the reputation this particular story possesses. However, this movie was somewhat opposite, and I can see why some critics might have felt let down. What this film also lacked was a strong villain. There was the king who attempted to prevent the new messiah prophesy from coming true, so he had all the first born male children killed. However, his role was, in my opinion, very de-emphasized.

Yet this movie sparkles is in its depiction of Joseph and Mary. This film brings such humanity to these characters. They are simple yet remarkable, humble yet righteous. There mission was not just to take care of the unborn child, but to take care of one another and to grow in their relationship together. People who are familiar with the story of Jesus' birth may forget that Joseph and Mary probably did not know each other very well when they were married. We see them as adults looking over baby Jesus, absent to the idea that they were children themselves.

I imagined the nativity story to be just like this, very raw and real, yet soft and comforting, but never did I imagine Joseph and Mary's love toward one another to be as respectful, deep, or profound as it was in The Nativity Story.