Nativity (film)
Encyclopedia
Nativity! is a British comedy directed by Debbie Isitt
and released on 27 November 2009. The film stars Martin Freeman
and Ashley Jensen
. The film is written by its director, Debbie Isitt, but is also partially improvised.
The film premiered on 23 November 2009 in the SkyDome Arena
, Coventry
, England. It was released in cinemas on 27 November three weeks after rival festive film Disney's A Christmas Carol opened.
to see who can produce the best nativity play
, Maddens' school always comes in second to Gordon Shakespeare's (Jason Watkins
) private school, Oakmoor.
Maddens lies to Shakespeare about how a Hollywood producer, his ex-girlfriend Jennifer Lore (Ashley Jensen
), will be turning his production into a Hollywood film starring his pupils. Mr. Poppy (Harry Sheldon), an over-enthusiastic classroom assistant, spreads the rumour, and soon Mr. Maddens finds his lie is out of control. He even travels to America to try to persuade his ex-girlfriend to visit, and discovers she is a receptionist
and not a film producer
and is unsuccessful in his Hollywood aim.
But finally, with Mr. Poppy's help, the nativity is performed, and, despite a sabotage attempt by Shakespeare (who in trying to outdo Maddens creates a gruesome school performance for the private school, which flops), the play is a great success, the Hollywood producer visits it and Mr. Maddens and Jennifer are reunited.
Mr. Maddens Class
Mr. Shakespear's Class
Debbie Isitt
Debbie Isitt; born 7 February 1966 in Birmingham, UK; is a comic writer, film director and performer.Isitt set up the theatre company 'Snarling Beasties' in the 1980s...
and released on 27 November 2009. The film stars Martin Freeman
Martin Freeman
Martin John C. Freeman is an English actor. He is known for his roles as John in Love Actually, Tim Canterbury in the BBC's Golden Globe-winning comedy The Office, Arthur Dent in the film adaptation of Douglas Adams' The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Dr. John Watson in Sherlock and Mr. Madden...
and Ashley Jensen
Ashley Jensen
Ashley Jensen is a Scottish actress who is best known for her roles in the television series Extras for which she was nominated for an Emmy, and ABC's Ugly Betty...
. The film is written by its director, Debbie Isitt, but is also partially improvised.
The film premiered on 23 November 2009 in the SkyDome Arena
SkyDome Arena
The SkyDome Arena is a 3,000-seat multi-purpose arena in Coventry, England. It was built in 1999. It is home to the Coventry Blaze Ice hockey team...
, Coventry
Coventry
Coventry is a city and metropolitan borough in the county of West Midlands in England. Coventry is the 9th largest city in England and the 11th largest in the United Kingdom. It is also the second largest city in the English Midlands, after Birmingham, with a population of 300,848, although...
, England. It was released in cinemas on 27 November three weeks after rival festive film Disney's A Christmas Carol opened.
Plot
Mr Maddens (Martin Freeman) is a "frustrated, under-achieving primary school teacher". Every year Maddens' school competes with a local private schoolPrivate school
Private schools, also known as independent schools or nonstate schools, are not administered by local, state or national governments; thus, they retain the right to select their students and are funded in whole or in part by charging their students' tuition, rather than relying on mandatory...
to see who can produce the best nativity play
Nativity play
A Nativity play or Christmas pageant is a play which recounts the story of the Nativity of Jesus. It is usually performed at Christmas, the feast of the Nativity.-Liturgical:...
, Maddens' school always comes in second to Gordon Shakespeare's (Jason Watkins
Jason Watkins
Jason Watkins is an American football offensive tackle for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League . He was signed by the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He played college football at Florida....
) private school, Oakmoor.
Maddens lies to Shakespeare about how a Hollywood producer, his ex-girlfriend Jennifer Lore (Ashley Jensen
Ashley Jensen
Ashley Jensen is a Scottish actress who is best known for her roles in the television series Extras for which she was nominated for an Emmy, and ABC's Ugly Betty...
), will be turning his production into a Hollywood film starring his pupils. Mr. Poppy (Harry Sheldon), an over-enthusiastic classroom assistant, spreads the rumour, and soon Mr. Maddens finds his lie is out of control. He even travels to America to try to persuade his ex-girlfriend to visit, and discovers she is a receptionist
Receptionist
A receptionist is an employee taking an office/administrative support position. The work is usually performed in a waiting area such as a lobby or front office desk of an organization or business...
and not a film producer
Film producer
A film producer oversees and delivers a film project to all relevant parties while preserving the integrity, voice and vision of the film. They will also often take on some financial risk by using their own money, especially during the pre-production period, before a film is fully financed.The...
and is unsuccessful in his Hollywood aim.
But finally, with Mr. Poppy's help, the nativity is performed, and, despite a sabotage attempt by Shakespeare (who in trying to outdo Maddens creates a gruesome school performance for the private school, which flops), the play is a great success, the Hollywood producer visits it and Mr. Maddens and Jennifer are reunited.
Cast
- Martin FreemanMartin FreemanMartin John C. Freeman is an English actor. He is known for his roles as John in Love Actually, Tim Canterbury in the BBC's Golden Globe-winning comedy The Office, Arthur Dent in the film adaptation of Douglas Adams' The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Dr. John Watson in Sherlock and Mr. Madden...
as Mr Maddens, a primary school teacher trying to produce and direct a nativity play that will for once out do a rival school. - Jason WatkinsJason WatkinsJason Watkins is an American football offensive tackle for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League . He was signed by the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He played college football at Florida....
as Gordon Shakespeare, a privatePrivate schoolPrivate schools, also known as independent schools or nonstate schools, are not administered by local, state or national governments; thus, they retain the right to select their students and are funded in whole or in part by charging their students' tuition, rather than relying on mandatory...
primary school teacher and long-time rival of Maddens. - Ashley JensenAshley JensenAshley Jensen is a Scottish actress who is best known for her roles in the television series Extras for which she was nominated for an Emmy, and ABC's Ugly Betty...
as Jennifer Lore, a HollywoodCinema of the United StatesThe cinema of the United States, also known as Hollywood, has had a profound effect on cinema across the world since the early 20th century. Its history is sometimes separated into four main periods: the silent film era, classical Hollywood cinema, New Hollywood, and the contemporary period...
producer and ex-girlfriend of Maddens. - Marc WoottonMarc WoottonMarc Wootton is an English character comedian. He is perhaps best known for his role as the fake medium and psychic, Shirley Ghostman, on the BBC Three series, High Spirits with Shirley Ghostman and he also appeared in Nativity!- Career :...
as Mr Poppy, a classroom assistant - Alan CarrAlan CarrAlan Carr is an English comedian and television personality. Born in Weymouth, he was raised in Northampton before moving to Manchester during his early 20's....
as a critic. - Ricky TomlinsonRicky TomlinsonEric Tomlinson , known by his stage name Ricky Tomlinson, is an English actor and comedian, best known for his roles as Bobby Grant in Brookside, DCI Charlie Wise in Cracker and James "Jim" Royle in The Royle Family....
as The Mayor - Pam FerrisPam FerrisPamela Ann "Pam" Ferris is a German-born Welsh actress. She is best known for her starring roles on television as Ma Larkin in The Darling Buds of May, as Laura Thyme in Rosemary & Thyme, and for playing Miss Trunchbull in the movie Matilda...
as Mrs. Bevans - Clarke PetersClarke PetersClarke Peters is an American actor, singer, writer and director best known for his role as Detective Lester Freamon on the HBO drama The Wire.-Early life:...
played the hollywood director, the boss of Mr Maddens' ex-girlfriend. - Bessie CursonsBessie CursonsBessie Cursons is an English teen stage actress from Portsmouth, Hampshire, England who reached the final of the first series of the ITV talent show Britain's Got Talent.-Early life:...
- Finalist from Britain's Got Talent, made an appearance as a student from Oakmoor School - Dan Sweet - made an appearance as a student from Oakmoor called Dennis
Mr. Maddens Class
- Alexandra Allen as Cleo
- Ben Wilby as Bob
- Bernard Mensah as TJ
- Brandon McDonald as Oli
- Cadi Mullane as Crystal
- Caitlin Cronin as Lucy
- Dominic McKernan as Dan
- Ellie Coldicutt as Beth
- Faye Dolan as Jade
- James Warner as Buddy
- Jake PrattJake PrattJake Pratt, also known as Jakey P is an English teen actor and comedian. He entered the public eye when he appeared on the first series of the ITV1 television show Britain's Got Talent in June 2007 where he reached the semi-finals, where he lost out in a place in the grand final...
as Alfie - Joe Lane as Edward
- Joshan Patel as Bill
- Krista Hyatt as Becky
- Maeve Dolan as Sam
- Michael McAuley as William
- Milly Webb as Neve
- Morgan Brennan as Charlotte
- Rebecca Maguire as Saffron
- Reece Stowe as Fraser
- Rhyannon Jones as Alice
- Sam Tott as Matt
- Sydney Isitt-Ager as Sadie
- Thomas McGaritty as Zack
- Oscar SteerOscar SteerOscar Thomas George Steer is a British child actor, best known for his role as Vincent in Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang ....
as Auditionee - Harvey Flanagan as Auditionee
Mr. Shakespear's Class
- Aidofe McLeod as Grace
- Anna Price as Ellen
- Arun Nahar as Jake
- Bessie CursonsBessie CursonsBessie Cursons is an English teen stage actress from Portsmouth, Hampshire, England who reached the final of the first series of the ITV talent show Britain's Got Talent.-Early life:...
as Chrisry - Bethany Carter as Daisy
- Charlie DixonCharlie DixonCharles Edward "Charlie" Dixon was an American jazz banjoist.Dixon played in local ensembles in Boston and New York before becoming a member of Sam Wooding's orchestra in 1922...
as Thomas - Cherie Ng as Nicola
- Eleanor Bonas as Rachel
- Francesca York as Caroline
- Freddie Watkins as Sebastian
- Georgina Owen as Emily
- Hannah Ciotknowski as Elizabeth
- Harriet Kilner as Charlotte
- Hayley Downing as Victoria
- Imogen Stern as Phoebe
- Katie Maguire as Megan
- Katie Stafford as Molly
- Lauren Downing as Joanne
- Lily-Rose Sharry as Lynette
- Michael BrownMichael Brown-Politics:*Michael Brown , current mayor of Grand Forks, North Dakota*Michael Brown , former British Conservative MP, now a political journalist...
as Charles - Molly Burton as Catherine
- Mi Tuulikki Kelly as Lorna
- Safiya Asharia as Sophie
- Salim Zayyan as Percival
- Taylor Drew as Harry