THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER Script Brought These Stars to Tears
By Movieguide® Contributor
Pete Holmes and Judy Greer starred in Dallas Jenkins’ latest movie, THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER, and the pair absolutely loved the project.
“I cried. I really did,” Holmes told USA Today. “The story is about letting the other in and folding other people into your community, not just to tolerate them but to celebrate them. And that is the spirit of Christmas and that is a message that we need more and more.”
The film is based on the beloved 1972 book by Barbara Robinson of the same name.
“THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER follows six siblings who sneak into church searching for snacks and walk away with the lead roles in the town pageant. Grace (Judy Greer) is directing the performance for the very first time; she and her daughter Beth (Molly Belle Wright) and husband Bob (Pete Holmes) are less than amused. But the play’s mischievous stars might unwittingly teach a community the true meaning of Christmas. Featuring Lauren Graham. Screenplay by Ryan Swanson and Platte F. Clark & Darin McDaniel,” a synopsis of the movie reads.
READ MORE: MOVIEGUIDE®’S THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER REVIEW
Greer also recalled a part while filming where she didn’t need to act because she truly felt overwhelmed, just like her character.
“All of a sudden, I’m at the church [and] there’s all the kids,” Greer recalled. “I am so overwhelmed. And what I love so much is that my character Grace is very overwhelmed. So I really didn’t have to do much acting.”
Lauren Graham, who narrated the movie and appeared in the final scene, added, “I really think [the film] is more relevant than the filmmakers and the writers could possibly have known. It’s exactly what I want at the holidays, which is something you can truly go to with your entire family and not worry that anyone’s going to feel left out or offended or not entertained. I just thought it was really beautiful.”
THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER landed in theaters on Nov. 9 and earned the No. 1 spot at the box office during its opening day.
READ MORE: DALLAS JENKINS CAN’T WAIT FOR YOU TO SEE THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER
