The Best Christmas Pageant Ever movie review

MOVIE TITLE: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

This totally adorable, family-friendly Christmas movie is now playing in theaters, as well as on Fandango at Home

RATING: PG

LENGTH: 1 hour 39 minutes

Movie Review Mom GRADE: A

SPONSOR of Today’s movie review:

If you love the movie, you can read the book!

Here’s the link on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3ZKNGbU

IN A NUTSHELL:

This charming movie is based on the popular 1972 book by Barbara Robinson and will soon become a Christmas classic.

The movie was directed by Dallas Jenkins, the creator of hugely successful TV series The Chosen, a fantastic show about the Jesus and His disciples. Writing credits go to Platte F. Clark, Darin McDaniel, Molly Belle Wright, and Ryan Swanson.

The film is actually a remake of the 1983 version. It has even been a stage production over the years. Already, the movie has won the “Truly Moving Picture Award” from Heartland Film Festival.

THINGS I LIKED:

The first line of the movie is awesome: “The Herdmans were absolutely the worst kids in the history of the world.”
The director wrote personal notes to Judy Greer, Pete Holmes, and Lauren Graham, telling them how much he wanted them to be in this movie and why he thought they would be perfect in it. They all agreed!
Fans of The Chosen will love seeing some of its actors in this too.
The narrator was voiced and played by Lauren Graham.
The kid actors are absolutely terrific and include Beatrice Schneider, Matthew Lamb, Sebastian Billingsley-Rodriguez, Ewan Wood, Lorelei Olivia Mote, and Kynlee Heiman.
The movie is as Judy Greer’s character states, “It’s a good reminder of what Christmas is all about.”
Keep watching during the final rolling credits to learn what each of the kids did once they grew up. Cute touch.
The film is filled with nostalgia, humor, and immense charm.
I love that Judy Greer’s character is named Grace because she demonstrates so much of it to others.
The movie was filmed in Canada.
When our kids were young, we used to act out the nativity story too. We had little costumes for them and my husband would read the scriptures. This sweet movie helps us all see the story of the birth of Jesus in a new way. Yes, the movie brought tears to my eyes.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

Some viewers might think it’s too preachy. I didn’t at all.
We don’t get to learn very much about all of the characters. In that regard, the story is very simple.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

Kids smoke cigars
Fighting
Some profanity (OMG)
In the first 3 minutes of the movie, we’re told how rotten the Herdman kids, given a list of very specific bad behaviors.

THEMES:

Christmas pageants
The birth of Jesus Christ
Tradition
Family
Community
Church
Helping others feel loved
Hypocrasy
Kindness
Hope
Doing the right thing
The true meaning of Christmas
The power of snacks at church

FUNNY LINES:

“I didn’t think they’d actually walk into a church building!” –Charlie (Sebastian Billingsley-Rodriguez) “I’m surprised they didn’t burst into flames.” – Bob (Pete Holmes)
“Is your mom home?” – Bob (Pete Holmes) “Not when the sun’s up.” – Imogene (Beatrice Schneider)
“I got a book license.” – Claude (Matthew Lamb)

INTERESTING LINES:

“We all need to remember Christmas comes for everyone.” – Dad
“All the actors and actresses get to be someone else. They get to change who they are and life a different life. They can get away from their miserable lives and become someone new.” – Imogene
“Don’t forget the whole point of the story is that Jesus was born for the Hermans as much as he was for us.” – Grace (Judy Greer)