Thanksgiving Day we had the opportunity to take our nieces to the movies. It's a tradition we picked up a few years ago when we found ourselves driving around Myrtle Beach on Thanksgiving Day looking for something to do other than shopping and loungin on the beach in the cold.
During this visit to the movies in our hometown of Aiken, SC, we viewed Fox Searchlight's Black Nativity. The original Black Nativity is a gospel-music oratorio by poet Langston Hughes that was first performed in 1961. It combines the Christian Nativity story with traditional spirituals and African drumming.
In a contemporary adaptation of Langston Hughes' celebrated play, this holiday musical drama follows Langston (Jacob Latimore), a street-wise teen from Baltimore raised by a single mother, as he journeys to New York City to spend the Christmas holiday with his estranged relatives Reverend Cornell (Forest Whitaker) and Aretha Cobbs (Angela Bassett). Unwilling to live by the imposing Reverend Cobbs' rules, a frustrated Langston is determined to return home to his mother, Naima (Jennifer Hudson). Langston embarks on a journey and along with his new friends, and a little divine intervention, he discovers the true meaning of faith, healing, and family.
We feel this movie is a great addition to a family's holiday movie collection. The story of faith and forgiveness that one often exhibits during the Christmas season rings so true in this movie. The heartfelt songs move the story forward, and the imagery of NYC is iconic as it plays a central part in the film. It's a must see!!
Have you seen Black Nativity? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Rhonda W. & Sharee W.
