You don't even have to see "Angels Sing" (now playing on the Hallmark Channel) to know how it ends. It begins with Harry Connick Jr. as Michael, a man who's hated Christmas for 30 years since the death of his brother. Connie Britton (Nashville) is his wife, Kris Kristofferson is his father, and Willie Nelson is the mysterious man who sells him his new house in Austin.
But the predictability doesn't ruin the fun. It turns out his new neighborhood is famous for its Christmas decorations, and an amusing cast of musician neighbors (including the always funny Lyle Lovett) first try to gently nudge Michael along, then approach mild hysteria when they see Michael really isn't going to put up any decorations.
And of course it takes another family tragedy to bring the Christmas spirit back into Michael's life. Who didn't see that one coming?
In the genre of Christmas movies, though, I've seen worse -- much worse. Really, watch it just for the music. As the New York Times critic Neil Genzlinger said,
Less-well-known musicians from the Austin scene, like Dale Watson, turn up in all sorts of small roles, and, as things move along, the movie becomes less a story and more an excuse for them to sing. That’s the part worth watching.
See if you can spot the musical cameos: Asleep At The Wheel's Ray Benson, TheTrishas, Guy Forsyth, The Lone Stars, Marcia Ball, Charlie Sexton, Sarah Hickman, and more.
Available for purchase on Amazon Video and YouTube.
Hallmark Channel, Monday, Dec. 22, 12 a.m. EST; Thursday, Dec. 25, 12 p.m. EST; Dec. 26, 8 a.m. EST; Thursday, Jan. 1, 6 a.m. EST and 11 p.m. EST.