By: Lana K. Wilson-Combs
With the holiday season in full swing, the new movie,
"The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" is here to sprinkle some extra magic on your Christmas spirit and make the season even brighter.
Based on
Barbara Robinson's 1972 book of the same name, "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" was first adapted as a stage play in 1982 and then a 1983 TV movie starring
Loretta Swit ("M*A*S*H").
As someone who loves Christmas—especially Christmas movies—"The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" stands out as one of the most fun and impactful "faith-based" films I have seen in a long time.
With an outstanding cast led by
Judy Greer ("The Book of Jobs"), "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" from driector
Dallas Jenkins (TV's "The Chosen") and screenwriters
Ryan Swanson (TV's "The Chosen"),
Platte F. Clark and Darin McDaniel (Davie & Golimyr"), seamlessly blends comedy, compassion, and religion into the perfect family film without ever feeling preachy or heavy-handed.
The story unfolds as an older Beth Bradley (Lauren Graham, "The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers") looks back on the time when her mother, Grace (a pitch-perfect Judy Greer), steps in to take over the small town's beloved annual Christmas pageant. A cherished tradition that has run like clockwork for 75 years, the pageant has remained unchanged—until the longtime director unexpectedly breaks both legs and leaves the town scrambling to keep the show on track.
Even Grace's husband Bob (Pete Holmes, TV's "The Pradeeps of Pittsburgh") wonders if she may be biting off more than she can chew. It's a lot of pressure.
"While the fate of the Christmas pageant is a major concern, another pressing issue involves young Beth (Molly Belle Wright, "Rippy") and the other kids in town, who are terrorized by a notorious group of troublemaker kids known as the Herdmans. Even the adults shrink in fear at the mere mention of them.
The Herdmans, a band of misfits—led by the crude and outspoken Imogene (Beatrice Schneider, TV's "The Pradeeps of Pittsburgh"), her unruly brother Ralph (Mason D. Nelligan, "The Legend of Juan Jose Mundo")—live in a run-down house, and the town whispers that their parents abandoned them.
Beth sums it up perfectly: "The Herdmans are absolutely the worst kids in the history of the world." And after just a few moments seeing this unruly crew, it's hard to argue with her.
Things take a turn for the worse when Beth's little brother, Charlie (a funny Sebastian Billingsley-Rodriguez, "Peter Pan & Wendy"), casually mentions to the Herdmans that their church hands out free food at the Christmas pageant rehearsals. Naturally, the kids—who are always on the lookout for a free meal—decide they want in. As they learn more about the pageant, they demand leading roles, with Imogene (Beatrice Schneider, TV's "The Pradeeps of Pittsburgh") insisting on playing Mary, the mother of Jesus—an idea that feels blasphemous, to say the least.
But Grace, a devout Christian, sees the situation differently. She realizes the church can't turn its back on these troubled kids just because they're rough around the edges. Instead, she views it as an opportunity to introduce them to the church and the true meaning of Christmas.
However, even Grace's saintly patience tested when the Herdmans—especially the youngest, Gladys (a scene-stealing Kynlee Heiman, "All Saints Day")—begin to hijack the pageant and demand that everything be done their way. As chaos erupts during rehearsals, Beth begins to realize that something must give.
With the big night fast approaching, everyone is hoping for a Christmas miracle to save the pageant. Will the adults finally give in? Or will the Herdmans learn some much-needed lessons in kindness, humility, and the true spirit of Christmas?
The movie's conclusion is truly touching. While it remains to be seen whether "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" will become a timeless holiday classic, it certainly stands out among many other films of its kind.
It has already earned a spot in my expansive Christmas collection and is sure to bring comfort and joy to your family as well.
Editor's Note: Be sure to catch my N2Entertainment.net movie talk segment on the Kitty O'Neal Show Fridays now at 5:17 p.m. and 6:47 p.m. on radio station KFBK 93.1 FM and 1530 AM.
Look At This Trailer For
"THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER"
Lana K. Wilson-Combs is a member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA), The American Film Institute (AFI), and a Nominating Committee Voting Member for the NAACP Image Awards.
