Keith Gardner Some critiques of this movie paint it as too cheesy or clichéd. It is those things. But the screenwriter was kind of between a rock and a hard place, as one often is in transcribing the work for one medium into another. It wasn't written as a screenplay, but the screenwriters had to walk the line between a full adaptation to film on the one hand, and staying as true as possible to Langston Hughes's vision on the other. It's a little rough in parts, and any time someone is singing in a bus station you gotta look at them askance... but still, the conveyance of the story, and the coming together of this family, in this very evangelical style (totally agreeing with Roger Ebert here), along with the star performances of these actors and singers, ensures that "its rough aspects are easy to forgive."Not a great, great film, as films go. But for a theatrical adaptation of a play on screen, with music, and a voyage/story that speaks to many... Very much worth dedicating 90 minutes to.

cinematic_aficionado A youngster is forced to spend Christmas with the grandparents he hardly knows with whom his mum had a massive fallout.This particular youngster, is forced to grow prematurely and is not keen on leaving his mum when she is on the verge of homelessness. Upon arrival he is bewildered by the comfort in which his grandparents live, yet do not seem to help out his mother who is clearly in distress.Between trying to figure things out, keen to help his mum even if it means stealing as well as adapting to life with grandparents, can brokenness be restored and will the Christmas spirit transcend human intentions?Whilst it has plenty of emotion to convey, the musical aspect of it was not appreciated as well as the pander on stereotypes. Still, it suffices for a decent time on the big screen.

jsdinbt Very well told story based on the widely performed Langston Hughes play, Black Nativity. The music, acting and story captured me in a way I wouldn't have expected. I loved Jennifer Hudson's singing and Jacob Latimore's acting. He's one to watch in the future. And where did Grace Gibson come from? Fantastic acting from Forest Whitaker, Angela Basset and Mary Blige. The story line is intentionally unreal but beautifully matches the spirit of the season. As an upper middle class white Jewish guy, with nothing directly in common with these characters, I was moved and completely absorbed by this movie. I'd recommend it for every one of all ages. Take your kids, you'll have something good to talk about.

Michael Thomas (mthomas-860-855298) I think that this was well put together but it was not at all what i expected. A lot more singing and the story line could have been explored a bit more. It is sad when my wife who is not an avid movie goer is able to answer all the questions that should be discovered over the entirety of the movie.Plus:Great music and top notch singers and performers.Introduction to new artist coming on the scene.Negative:Movie never develops a rich story line in my opinion and some of the scenes were hard to follow. overall:Great movie for fellow music lovers it was like watching a long music video.