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Black Nativity

2013

Kasi Lemmons

Forest Whitaker, Angela Bassett, Jennifer Hudson, Tyrese Gibson ...

4.5

99

Musical. Drama An afroamerican young teen living with his grandparents falls asleep at church during a Christmastime mass, where he dreams of a black nativity.

	Author	Review
United States	Stephen Farber The Hollywood Reporter	"A first-rate cast enlivens this ambitious but syrupy holiday musical."	POS
United States	Justin Chang Variety	"A bold but clumsy attempt to bring Langston Hughes' popular musical to life onscreen."	NEG
United States	Michael Phillips Chicago Tribune	"Whitaker's performance is the rock here. Even when the confrontations and evasions get a little ridiculous, he's neither wholly saint nor sinner, but something like a human being. (...) Rating: ★★½ (out of four)"	POS
United States	Claudia Puig USA Today	"This updated faith-based tale features rousing musical numbers and a well-meaning, if predictable, story, marked by unlikely coincidences. (...) Rating: ★★★½ (out of four)"	POS
United States	Manohla Dargis The New York Times	"It becomes increasingly clear that the entire movie probably should have been sung."	NEG

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