Chaos, Cheer, and Christmas spirit

From bad behavior to heaven-sent bundles of joy, Judy transforms the Herdman siblings, in Dallas Jenkins’s “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.”  Another heartwarming Christmas flick has opened at the box office just in time for chilly weather. “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” retells a 1972 bestseller. This family-friendly piece was very refreshing to see with today’s trend in more raunchy films.
The tale starts in a small town where the Herdman siblings are beginning to get a bad reputation for themselves. The character Grace Bradley is played by Judy Greer.  Unexpectedly, she takes over directing her town’s annual Christmas pageant after the usual director is injured. Despite the Herdman reputation, they get the lead roles in the church Christmas pageant. Initially, their involvement creates chaos and resistance from the townspeople, who fear the siblings will ruin the pageant. Concerning townspeople with their connection to each character leads the siblings to put on a genuine and moving performance in the pageant. This story beautifully combines humor and wholesomeness, really capturing the essence of the original book. The performance of all the Herdman siblings was both touching and relatable. This classic retelling could reach all audiences even adding in cultural references to touch base with younger viewers.
One downside of this film was the underdevelopment of certain adult characters. This left a slight imbalance in the narrative where the Herdman siblings’ journey doesn’t fully complement the adults. Another downside of this film which can be said for most movies these days is the at times out of place nods at social media and modern technology.  Which felt unnecessary and detracted from the timeless charm of the original story. Additionally, the pacing in certain parts, especially the buildup to the pageant itself, felt rushed, leaving less room for the emotional stakes to develop fully.
Overall without spoiling too much of this joyful and sweet movie. As stated before, “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” delivers a touching, family-friendly adaptation that shines in its portrayal of the Herdman siblings’ transformation. However, the film has its drawbacks. The underdevelopment of key adult characters creates a slight imbalance, leaving the narrative overly focused on the children. Additionally, modern references to social media and technology feel out of place, detracting from the timeless charm of the story.
But without a doubt, his movie is a must-watch this holiday season. With its joyful nature and family friendliness. Grossing over 100 million internationally at the box office it’s guaranteed to be a hit with the whole family.