Review: “Angels Sing” (2012)

Nothing special here. It’s Texas, so despite everyone acting like it’s cold (does San Antonio actually get cold?), no one wears heavy winter wear or particularly festive colors. The wardrobe feels utilitarian rather than seasonally inspired.

Michael Walker became a Christmas Scrooge thirty years ago when his older brother died saving him from cracking ice. His brother thrust Michael to safety, sacrificing himself. Michael’s carried that guilt and hatred of Christmas ever since.

Now living on San Antonio’s famous “Trail of Lights” — the street people travel from around the world to see at Christmas — Michael must confront his demons with help from mysterious neighbor Nick and rediscover the meaning of family, memory, and holiday tradition.

This isn’t a romance, so it doesn’t follow that formula. Instead, it’s a straightforward Christmas curmudgeon redemption story.

Not overtly religious, but Christ-themed music appears throughout, and Willie Nelson’s church performance of “Amazing Grace” provides a genuinely moving spiritual moment. Family-appropriate viewing.

For the first thirty minutes, I kept wondering why I was still watching. The pacing drags, scenes feel clunky, and the emotional beats don’t land. But it does eventually find its heart and delivers a touching finale that almost — almost — justifies the slow journey to get there.

This movie centers heavily on music — mostly country, though other genres appear. If you’re a fan of the assembled musical talent (Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Lyle Lovett, Harry Connick Jr.), that might compensate for the pacing issues.

This movie clearly loves music — it’s practically a musical showcase for its country music legends. If that’s your primary interest, you might overlook the structural issues.

But as a Christmas drama attempting to tell a redemption story, it stumbles badly before finally sticking the landing.

I won’t be adding this to my annual rotation. Once was enough.