“The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” – A Witty and Heartfelt Triumph
I am going to make this as brief and easy as possible. I highly recommend The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, the new film that hit theaters this past weekend. It is charming, funny, and heartfelt and it works as both a great adaptation but also as a wonderful Christmas movie that feels both nostalgic and fresh simultaneously.
If you are a fan of the 1972 novel by the same name, you will walk away pleased. If you have no knowledge of the book on which this movie is based, there is plenty for you to love. Before I expand on my thoughts about the film, let’s get a brief summary of the plot out of the way so we are all on the same page. I am borrowing this summary from the one I wrote for the book review, which serves to show how faithful of an adaptation this movie actually is.
The Herdman kids are little terrors. They are bullies and thieves. They are rude, mean, disobedient, and disrespectful. They cuss, hit, smoke, and drink. But worst of all, they hijack the annual Christmas pageant. To be clear, they didn’t set out to take over the pageant. They actually started coming to church for the refreshments. It was then that they heard about the pageant, and as the Herdmans are wont to do, they opt to make life miserable for everyone around them by taking most of the lead roles in the upcoming pageant. The church and town are appalled and terrified and just the slightest bit concerned for their safety. It’s a fun time for everyone.
Director Dallas Jenkins (The Chosen) and his writing team have done a masterful job of retaining the essence of the book while adding just the right flourishes and expansions to help fill in the gaps. If you’ve read the book, you know how small and concise the story is. Much of the power of the book is in the subtext that author Barbara Robinson creates with delicate subtlety. The movie takes some liberties with this subtext, but always in service of the story. I was thrilled to find no unnecessary changes or elaborations. Every new or expanded scene respectfully builds upon the existing narrative and themes.
There is a deep reverence for the book that is on clear display throughout the movie. Yet this reverence does not handicap the film and turn it into some lifeless, paint-by-numbers misfire. It’s the best sort of adaptation that is both honoring yet filled with its own internal inspiration.
There are many reasons The Best Christmas Pageant Ever works as well as it does but primary among those is the cast. Leading the way with heart and humor is Judy Greer, playing the substitute pageant director, Grace. She is an absolute delight to watch, particularly in the early rehearsal scenes with the children. Greer is the beating heart of the film, and it succeeds largely due to her grounded and believable performance.
The rest of the cast is superb, with a wonderful turn by Pete Holmes as Grace’s husband. Holmes brings a ton of humor to the role, but the film wisely doesn’t sideline him as simple comedic relief. He adds depth to the narrative in a way that updates the novel in a beautiful way.
The child actors are a joy, each with large and small moments of humor or pathos. Beth (Molly Belle Wright), Grace’s daughter, and Imogene Herdman (Beatrice Schneider) both shine brightly. Each Herdman has their time in the sun, and they make the most of it. The supporting cast of children handle their parts well and bring a sense of authenticity to the film. At no time do you feel like you are watching professional actors putting on a church Christmas pageant. That would destroy the magic of the moment. Instead, these feel like church kids stumbling their way through a play they would rather not be involved in at all. The film is better because of this.
The townsfolk and church members add their own notes to this chaotic and exuberant composition, each providing flourishes of conflict, humor, or redemption. It truly is a team effort, and the entire cast should be commended.
With all that said, the film could only be truly successful if the final Christmas pageant scenes work. Thankfully, the climactic scenes are the strongest of the entire film with every thread coming together to create an honest, heartfelt, and beautiful tapestry. The film aims for profound emotional and spiritual impact, and its aim is true. If you let it, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever will help you see Christmas through new and better eyes. Take my advice. Let it do its work on you. It’s worth it.
Final Verdict for The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever easily slides right in with the best Christmas movies. It’s full of charm and wit. It’s brimming with hope and love and all the best things about Christmas. And best of all, it’s the rare Christmas movie that doesn’t shy away from the true reason for the season. It’s explicitly Christian while not feeling preachy or in your face. The payoff of the film is earned in every sense of the word. If you love Christmas and Christmas movies, go see it. You can thank me later.
- “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” – A Witty and Heartfelt Triumph - November 13, 2024
- “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” – A Brief Review - October 30, 2024
- Five More Times “The Chosen” Made Me Cry – Season 4 - October 24, 2024
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Phil, did you see the TV movie adaptation from 1983? I wondered how the two compared. I’ve seen the previews to this and look forward to seeing it. Thanks for the review.
I have no memory of seeing the 1983 version.
I hope you enjoy the new movie. It’s really good.
Excellent review, Phill. Mom and I simply must see it! I am pumped. Thanks for this labor of love to encourage folks to see the film and hopefully to read the book, too.