Movie review: Christmas Manger
Movie review: Christmas Manger
21 December 2019
Chris Cleveland and Steve J. Young on the set of Christmas manger.
It is easy to whitewash the Christmas story and forget the more troubling details of Christ’s birth.
The fact Mary and Joseph had nowhere safe to stay in Bethlehem is easy to gloss over when we are filled with yuletide joy.
Yet in the latest holiday film from Pure Flix, we are reminded that, for some people, these issues are still very real. And for the most part, the Christmas Manger addresses this with compassion, reverence and depth.
Single mum Jessica (Andrea Logan White) and her teenage children Cassidy and Spencer play the part of the holy family. On the run from an abusive ex-husband, they are homeless and have outstayed their welcome at all their friends’ houses. Money is low and the risk of going home is high. It is only after Cassidy finds an old nativity picture book, which was gifted to her mother by estranged foster carers Chap and Mary Jo, that we see their path change.
Arriving at Chap’s house just weeks before Christmas, Jessica wrestles to make peace with the father-figure she betrayed. Now a widower, he has isolated himself from his church community and cares for the family farm alone.
Like all good Christmas movies, the dysfunctional family learns the true meaning of mercy, grace and redemption – add in a romance and it could almost be a Hallmark feature. ‘Almost’ being the prerogative word.
Where Christmas Manger differs is its commitment to acknowledging Christ outright. Not only do we see characters reading the Bible but they go on a mission to recreate the town of Bethlehem in Chap’s backyard.
However, the most distinguishable difference from most feel-good Christmas features is the reality of the situations they characterise. Details like the garbage bag full of clothes displaying what few possessions they have left; the terrifying fury of the ex-husband as he tracks the family and assaults anyone in his way; and even Chap’s struggle to trust Jessica when his family turn her away, all mark this movie as unique.
This isn’t a perfect film. There are a few cringe-worthy moments in dialogue where cliché is substituted for heartwarming, the cast lacks diversity and there’s no reference to the long-term safety of the family short of a restraining order. However, Christmas Manger should be commended for its depth.
Rated PG, this is a solid choice if you are looking for a family-friendly film to watch in a small group or church – just make sure you warn viewers that some of the content could be triggering.
Available at Koorong and on YouTube Movies.
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