With the nail firmly in Halloween’s coffin, it is time for a parade of holiday season fare.
In theaters this week, “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” wants to get on your merry ol’ to-do list ahead of buying the Thanksgiving turkey and stringing all those lights.
An adaptation of Barbara Robinson’s 1972 children’s novel of the same name, “Pageant” is the latest bit of output from the Kingdom Story Company, the Christian-based affiliate of the larger Lionsgate studio responsible for offerings including 2021’s “American Underdog,” and “Ordinary Angels,” which landed in February, pushing all the intended emotional buttons as it did.
it’s directed by Dallas Jankins, creator, director and co-writer of the ongoing Christian historical drama series “The Chosen.”
But “Pageant” is far less interested in preaching as it is being accepted as an instant classic that sits comfortably among family-friendly gems. And while it falls a bit short of “classic” status — it’s simply a bit too flat in stretches — it is cute, easily digestible and an admirably message-driven bit of fun.
Most appealingly, Robinson’s tale — seemingly fairly faithfully adapted by screenwriters Ryan Swanson, Platte F. Clark and Darin McDaniel — makes heroes of its apparent villains: the Herdmans.
Narrated by the adult version (Lauren Graham) of sweet and thoughtful girl Beth (Molly Belle Wright), “Pageant” immediately and efficiently educates us on these siblings, a gang of lewd kids who steal, cuss out teachers and start fires.
When oldest sibling and de facto gang leader Imogene (Beatrice Schneider) takes Beth’s prized locket and the latter dares to object, Imogene gives her a choice: the necklace or her neck.
It’s not much better for Beth’s brother, Charlie (Sebastian Billingsley-Rodriguez), who sees the tastiest part of his school lunch taken by a Herdman boy three days in a row.
Home, with loving parents Grace (Judy Greer) and Bob (Pete Holmes), is a safe space, of course. Church is a Herdman-free zone, too — at least until Charlie shoots off his mouth, telling the lunch stealer that the thefts are no big deal, that he gets all the delicious snacks he could ever want at the place of worship.
That’s all they needed to hear, the Herdmans soon arriving at the church en masse. Worse, they become interested in (gulp) being a part of the coming Christmas pageant. And this isn’t just ANY pageant — it’s the 75th annual incarnation, and more people than normal are expected to attend this event that stretches about as far back as the town’s founding.
Plus, it’s become the responsibility of Grace — who steps in to direct after the person who usually holds the reins becomes incapacitated — largely to prove certain town busybodies that she’s capable of more than they think.
As it’s told from Beth’s perspective, “Pageant” is somewhat concerned with the girl’s desire to help her mother in any way she can. Refreshingly, though, this ultimately is Imogene’s story; after bullying her way into the important role of Mary, can she find what’s needed for the task — including confidence — within herself to actually go up on stage?
It helps that Schneider (“The Pradeeps of Pittsburgh”) gives the most interesting performance in the movie, peeling away the layers of this supposedly tough-as-nails young woman.
Also worth a mention is Kynlee Heiman, for repeatedly scoring laughs as Imogene’s outlandish younger sister, Gladys.
Other than the Herdmans, “Pageant” is about as flavorful as Melba toast, with talented actors Greer (“13 Going on 30”) and Holmes (“Crashing”) unable to bring much personality to their characters as written.
(And we know that this movie is set decades ago, but it might have been wise to lose the moment where Bob tiptoes up to the line of complaining by noting the taste of his TV dinner is a reminder his wife is busy. He’s a good man who spends time doing charitable work, and maybe he’s trying to express empathy, but come on, guy — learn to flip a burger.)
As Grace works against pressure to exclude the Herdmans from the pageant, Bob — and we DO relate to this — is enthused by the idea that this may in fact not be just any other incarnation of the typically boring affair thanks to the infusion of fresh, um, talent.
“The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” isn’t the best Christmas movie ever, but it likely will see you and the fam leaving the theater more in the holiday spirit than when you entered.
(“The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” contains thematic material and brief underage smoking)
“THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER”
Rated PG
At the AMC Boston Common and suburban theaters.
Grade: C+
