FuzzyTagz
If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.
mraculeated
The biggest problem with this movie is it’s a little better than you think it might be, which somehow makes it worse. As in, it takes itself a bit too seriously, which makes most of the movie feel kind of dull.
Billy Ollie
Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable
nnwahler
Well, this film is certainly not the greatest holiday movie ever; that honor woujld belong to either "It's A Wonderful Life" or the Alastair Sim version of "Scrooge." But it's the one movie I pull out every single year without fail. Michael Learned (the mother on "The Waltons") plays a lead character heading up a wagonload of talented actors, including John Houseman, Beah Richards, and James Cromwell.Zoe Jensen (Learned) is a Nebraska divorcee trying to reestablish herself in San Francisco and starts her new social life by joining a church choir preparing Handel's "Messiah" ; Houseman is a retired choir director who is extremely demanding.
Christmas-Reviewer
Thus Made for TV-movie is in public domain. That means anybody can release this film on DVD or broadcast it for free. So I am hoping that someone will release a decent looking DVD. If someone did they might make a small fortune, In this film there is several stories going on and they all revolve around a church in San Francisco. There is one story of a woman who is new to the area and recently single. Another story is about a tough task master of choir director. There is more but in general the whole film could of ended a little sooner. The song at the end felt an EXTENDED scene you would find as an extra on a DVD. I think this scene was extended out to fill out a running time. The nicest thing about this film was it one of the few movies out there that entire cast is over 30. If you find a decent looking DVD let me know. I might enjoy it more if I had a clear copy of the film
Sebastian (sts-26)
I saw this movie when it first premiered, and missed it ever since. I only recently found it on a DVD, packaged with a collection of other Xmas specials. It was wonderful seeing it again, despite the fact that no attempt was made to restore the now seriously degraded film before digital transfer.I remember two great TV Christmas films from my childhood and youth. One was The Gathering, which starred Ed Asner. The other was A Christmas without Snow. Both movies captured the spirit of Christmas from a time when the season was about faith, community and family, and reflection, rather than shopping, decorating and gluttony.A Christmas without Snow is a charming film about the true meaning of Christmas, and the fact that keeping that meaning is rarely easy, but always rewarding. And the reward is, or should be, a sense of quiet satisfaction and contentment.
Marta
This is one of those TV movies that builds quietly and steadily to an emotional finish. Michael Learned plays a recently divorced woman who moves to another city with her slightly rebellious teenager. She has to build her life again among strangers, and she begins by joining a local church and their choir. The choirmaster, played with real spleen by John Houseman, is a perfectionist and they clash right from the start. Learned has many other pressures in her life, not the least of which is an ex-husband trying to gain favor with his son, and she begins to feel that the choirmaster is more an enemy than a friend. Just when she's ready to quit the choir, several things happen that reaffirm her faith in God and in herself, and she stays.This isn't shown anymore, and is difficult to find. But it's worth a look if you run across it, and it's perfect for the Christmas season.
