Christmas comes early courtesy of British director Debbie Isitt (Nasty Neighbours, Confetti) and her improvised comedy about the preparations for a primary school nativity play.

Shot without a script as a safety net, Nativity! is a feel-absolutely-wonderful treat steeped in festive cheer that delivers tidings of comfort and boundless joy for the entire family.

The central character’s redemption echoes George Bailey in the classic It’s A Wonderful Life and a supporting cast of inexperienced child actors is irresistibly cute and cheeky without ever being precocious.

Martin Freeman essays another beleaguered loser in love, who tells one little white lie that rapidly snowballs into an avalanche of misunderstandings.

He plays the straight man throughout to Marc Wootton’s demented sidekick, a whopping force of nature who is even more hyperactive than the children in his care.

Pint-sized co-starts can barely keep a straight face as he bounds through each scene like an excitable puppy.

By the time the curtain rises on the nativity play, we’re hopelessly smitten with all the players and will them on to a standing ovation.

In overcast Coventry, teacher Paul Maddens (Freeman) is a shadow of his former self at St Bernadette’s primary school after girlfriend Jennifer (Ashley Jensen) leaves him to pursue her dreams of becoming a Hollywood producer.

His first attempt to stage the nativity draws a vicious one-star review from the local theatre critic (Alan Carr).

‘You’re no one if you’ve not had a bad review off Patrick Burns,’ cackles the hack, ‘that’s why we call them Burns’ victims!’ To make matters worse, mutual friend Gordon Shakespeare (Jason Watkins) is a teacher at rival, independent Oakmoor School and his production garners a gushing five-star appraisal.

Paul turns his back on the nativity until outgoing headmistress Mrs Bevan (Pam Ferris) forces him to step up the mark.

To help Paul in this hour of need, he is assigned a deranged classroom assistant, Mr Poppy (Wootton).

With first rehearsals looming, Paul bends the truth in Mr Poppy’s earshot.

‘A big Hollywood company are coming here to see our nativity and we’re all going to be famous!’ the assistant tells the children excitedly.

Soon, the entire city, including the mayor (Ricky Tomlinson), is abuzz with news about the little nativity play with huge ambitions.

Nativity! is a joy and the 105 minutes pass all too quickly in a blur of laughter, song and heartfelt confessions.

The ensemble cast is excellent, ab-libbing some hysterical verbal exchanges before one of the kids upstages everyone.

‘Why do you want to play the innkeeper?’ Paul asks one boy.

‘Because he’s great.

He swears all day’, proffers the lad thoughtfully.

The climactic nativity play is sprinkled with good will to all men, women and children yet credibly rough around the edges.

Isitt’s film meanwhile is a Christmas cracker.

• Release Date: Friday 27 November 2009
• Certificate: U
• Runtime: 105mins

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