Long before director Dallas Jenkins gained worldwide fame for his faith-based hit series, “The Chosen,” he was trying to carve a path in the world of movies. His earlier projects didn’t achieve widespread success, but that may be about to change.
Jenkins’ latest movie, “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” (PG), releasing in theaters Nov. 8, tells the well-known story of a group of lying-and-stealing siblings, the Herdmans, who shock their small community when they land roles in a beloved Christmas pageant. The film is based on a popular book of the same name and masterfully weaves an inspiring gospel-centric message with top-notch, family-friendly comedy. It may be the year’s most inspiring movie.
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From book to big screen
Jenkins fell in love with the book as a father of young children and then became enamored with turning it into a big-screen movie. For at least 15 years he chased the rights.
The first night he and his wife Amanda read the book, he said, they cried.
“And our kids were like, ‘What is happening?’” she said, laughing.
Jenkins himself calls the movie a “dream come true.”
“This book has been read in public schools all over the country,” he noted. “It’s been performed as a play all over the world. … I finally got an opportunity to do it.”
The film kicks off with a series of comedic moments featuring the six Herdman children stealing money, shoving classmates and even starting fires, all while the narrator describes them as the “worst kids in the history of the world.”
“They lied. They stole. They smoked cigars — even the girls.”
No one, we’re told, has ever seen their parents, although it’s possible their mom and dad had “given up and run away,” the narrator says.
Plot twists
Not surprisingly, the Herdmans aren’t the types of kids who go to church. That changes, though, when they discover the church has free goodies. The plot takes another turn when the oldest Herdman, Imogene, opts to audition for the church’s Christmas pageant, chasing the role of Mary and all the attention it brings. Her five siblings audition for roles too — and, not surprisingly, win them when they threaten violence against anyone who competes.
The Herdmans’ participation places the pageant’s new director, Mrs. Grace, in a bind. The uppity townspeople want her to boot the Herdmans from the pageant, believing they’ll ruin it. But Mrs. Grace rebuffs their demands, believing the pageant’s gospel message could change their hearts.
Perhaps the Herdmans will ruin the Christmas pageant, she thinks. Then again, maybe the Herdmans will be impacted by the gospel.
“Jesus was born for the Herdmans as much as He was for us,” she says.
In the end, the Herdmans don’t ruin the pageant. Instead, they themselves are transformed.
The film stars Lauren Graham (“Gilmore Girls”) as the narrator, Judy Greer (“Ant-Man”) as Grace and Elizabeth Tabish (“The Chosen”) as one of the uppity townspeople. Kirk B.R. Woller (“The Chosen”) portrays the pastor.
Inspiring messages
It’s a movie packed with inspiring messages about the gospel and outreach. It simultaneously shows what the church should not look like — and what it should.
It’s rated PG for thematic material and brief underage smoking. It contains mild language (a pair of OMGs from the Herdmans).
Also worth watching this month:
The Forge (Home Video) — A young irresponsible man learns about life and faith under the tutelage of a wise mentor. It is the latest faith-based film from the Kendrick Brothers, who also produced “Overcomer” and “War Room.” It spotlights discipleship. Rated PG.
A Quiet Place: Day One (Home Video) — Blind alien creatures with hypersensitive hearing invade Earth. This one is not for small children, but if you’re looking for a fun monster film for teens, this could fit the bill. (It’s the third film in a franchise; the first film boasted a strong pro-life message.) Rated PG-13 for terror and violent content/bloody images, with brief language. (ClearPlay offers a filter.)
Harold and the Purple Crayon (Home Video) — A young boy with a magical purple crayon creates imaginative worlds and adventures. Unfortunately, that crayon eventually falls into the wrong hands. The film is based on a popular children’s book and is rated PG for mild action and thematic elements and mild language (a pair of OMGs. ClearPlay offers a filter).
Great American Christmas (Great American Family) — It’s never too early to get into the spirit of Christmas on Great American Family, which launched its annual holiday-themed movies Oct. 17 as part of a lineup that will continue through Christmas. They’re movies full of faith and hope. Count me in.
EDITOR’S NOTE — Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and entertainment for 20 years. He is the husband to Julie and the father of four children.
