The Best Christmas Pageant Ever – Budget of $20 million – 1 hour and 39 minutes
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The small town of Emmanuel is abuzz because their 75th Annual Christmas Pageant is falling on Christmas Eve. But Beth Bradley doesn’t feel the joy because the pageant hasn’t changed. She attends Sunday school with her brother, Charlie. The minister allows the students to attend the first 15 minutes of service once a month and present to the congregation. Their topic is ‘why I love church.’ Charlie tells the members he loves attending church because the Herdmans aren’t there. The Herdmans are a family of kids that steal, smoke, start fires, and fight. The eldest, Imogene, leads her younger siblings – Ralph, Claude, Leroy, Ollie, and Gladys – as they terrorize the town. Bob and Grace apologize for Charlie’s sentiments while leaving with their children.
Bob and Grace prepare their home for the holidays when they see flashing lights across the street. Grace and Beth spy the paramedics wheeling Mrs. Armstrong out because she broke her legs. Beth’s friend, Alice, and Alice’s mother, Rebecca, check on Mrs. Armstrong too. For decades, Mrs. Armstrong directed the pageant. And Alice played Mary for three years. Grace mentions becoming acting director, but Rachel hints that Grace isn’t up to Mrs. Armstrong’s standards. Grace takes the job when Rachel and Mrs. Armstrong give each other a knowing glance, much to Bob’s chagrin.
Two days in a row, the Herdmans stole Charlie’s lunch. On the third day, Charlie gave it to them. Then, he bragged about receiving free food and snacks at church. When the Herdmans arrive at church, everyone stops and stares. The minister informs them that everyone will get snacks after Sunday school. The Herdmans sit with the students as Grace tells them about the play. Beth explains to Imogene the play is about the birth of Christ. Then, Beth describes a play to Imogene. Imogene wants to be Mary, her sister the Angel, and her brothers will be Joseph and the wise men. They threaten the other children to dominate the parts.
The parents meet Grace at Mrs. Armstrong’s home. They demand Grace pull the Herdmans out of the play. They believe the Herdmans will destroy the play and disgrace the town. Grace reminds them their kids didn’t volunteer. She refuses to exclude the Herdmans and vows it will be the best pageant ever. But can she deliver?
Based on The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson, this film brings the children’s classic to life (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). Fans of the book will recognize passages from the beloved tale and memorable scenes they imagined. The Herdman children are wild and have a tainted past with the townspeople. However, the Bradleys slowly see the changes in the children and the non-Christian behavior in the community. The audience laughs while opening their heart to the story of Christ’s birth. It will allow the audience to see the story in a new light. The Herdmans ask unique and funny questions about the story while getting their book license. Parents should tell their younger children that the story is in the 1970s. So they won’t see cell phones or tablets, but it has a card catalog. The same joy and faith you get from the book will ignite in the theater. The Herdmans aren’t lost children. The community ignored them. This film is the perfect start to the holiday season and will become a classic.
I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars
I chose my neck – Beth
I told Mrs. Armstrong it’s going to be the best Christmas pageant ever – Grace
My ham’s in the pageant – Bob
Every year – brother
Well, we haven’t melted yet – Imogene
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Categories: In The Theater, Judy Greer, Molly Belle Wright, movie, Pete Holmes, review, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
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