Ordinary Angels. Unsung Heroes. White Bird.The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Four uplifting movies. One common producer. The man with the plan sees a commonality in all of these wildly different stories, which might just inspire you in their own unique ways.Andrew Erwinbacked each of these recent films, with the latest perhaps garnering the most laughs. Directed by Dallas Jenkins (ofThe Chosenfame),The Best Christmas Pageant Everstars comedic greats Judy Greer and Pete Holmesbut also weaves together a heartwarming tale about the magic of Christmas and coming together as a community. MovieWeb recently caught up with Erwin to confirm the unifying elements across his last four feature films.
“Redemption is at the core of the stories that we tell,” Erwin told us. “And if you look at all those four movies… leading up to [The Best Christmas Pageant Ever] with Dallas Jenkins, you know, the theme is about redemption. And each of those films were done by different filmmakers with different takes, but it all kind of had that same heart.” Erwin added:
“And I think, really, we did save the best for last. This is one that I think has the potential to be a Christmas classic, you know, in the vein of movies that I love to watch every year, that were done by Frank Capra, likeIt’s a Wonderful Life. It just has that heart. And I think that’s a very mainstream kind of approach, that’s universally appealing, no matter where you come from — but it does speak to faith in a very organic, specific way, and it earns the right to be heard. This one delivers, so we’re excited.”
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Dallas Jenkins on the Benefit of Working with Comedians Like Judy Greer & Pete Holmes
Director Jenkins also joined our interview with Erwin and spoke about the uniquely enriching experience of casting two hilarious leads (Greer and Holmes) in a family holiday film that has its fair share of more dramatic, heartfelt moments. “Judy and Pete are extraordinary performers and very funny, two of the most naturally funny people I’ve ever worked with,” said Jenkins. “Occasionally, I would have to come out from behind the camera and go, ‘Guys, we are rolling, and we do have a limited amount of time, and my producer Andrew Erwin here is counting the numbers. So let’s rein it in a little bit.’ So that happens occasionally, but honestly, that created a really great environment on set. Everyone who visited the set said this is a really special place.”
Jenkins continued, regarding the benefit of working with comics on the big screen: “I’ve always believed thatstandup comics and comediansin general have a unique understanding of timing, of rhythm, and of emotion. And so, when you’re laughing and when you are enjoying this movie from kind of a witty perspective, it brings your emotions to the surface.” He added:
“And when we get to the part of the film where you have to stick the landing, and where people have walked out of the screenings so far with tears streaming down their face, that’s because I think some of these performers, including the kids who can pull off the humor, they can just walk that tightrope into the emotion, and it’s a beautiful moment when it happens. And I think part of it is because they’re so good at comedy that the drama and the emotion really hits home.”
From Lionsgate,The Best Christmas Pageant Everis now playing in theaters.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
Based on the beloved book, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever centers on the Herdmans – absolutely the worst kids in the history of the world. But this Christmas, they’re taking over their local church Pageant – and they just might unwittingly teach a shocked community the true meaning of Christmas.
