"The Nativity Story": Gritty realism? Or sentimental, romantic iconography?

Christianity Today's David Neff, in the new issue:

The Nativity StoryThe Passion of the Christ.

UPDATE: Here's the link to the whole article, which is, in fact, a very positive review.

I posted this excerpt because Neff's point here seems to contrast with others that I've read that argue that the film is authentic and realistic beginning to end, down to the smallest detail.