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Angels Sing (2013)

Name: Angels Sing
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Family
Released: 2013-10-19
Duration: 87 min
Rating: 5.5
Cast: Harry Connick Jr., Connie Britton, Chandler Canterbury, Fionnula Flanagan, Lyle Lovett

Angels Sing (2013), directed by Tim McCanlies, starring Harry Connick Jr. and Connie Britton.

10/19/2013 BR Comedy, Drama and Family 1h 27m

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Christmas comes but once a year, but the memories last a lifetime.

Synopsis

As a child, Michael Walker wished every day could be Christmas. That is, until a tragic accident crushed his holiday spirit. Thirty years later, Michael still can't muster any joy for the holidays, despite encouragement from his playful wife and well-intentioned parents. But when his young son faces a tragedy, Michael needs to make amends with his past. A mysterious man named Nick gives Michael a gift and instills in him the courage to find the joy that he lost.

Kamal DerkaouiCinematography
Tim McCanliesDirector
Carl ThielOriginal music
Scott WarrenOriginal music

About the film

Angels Sing is a 2012 Christmas family drama film directed by Tim McCanlies and starring Harry Connick Jr., Connie Britton, Chandler Canterbury, Fionnula Flanagan, Lyle Lovett, Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson. It is an adaptation of Turk Pipkin's 1999 novel When Angels Sing.

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Plot

History professor Michael (Harry Connick Jr.) as a child loved Christmas, but as an adult is less than enthused about it. His family tries to get him, his wife and ten year old to also do Christmas with them at Thanksgiving, but he refuses.

Upset, his son David goes outside. There, Michael tells him the story of how he had his holiday spirit crushed. He and his brother David snuck out to go skating at the lake near their grandfather's. They suffered a tragic accident when they started racing. His brother realised the ice started to crack near the center, and he flung Michael to the edge, falling through himself.

Right after Michael and his wife are told the house they are renting has been sold, he has an accident mountain biking, caused by a reindeer, and is forced to walk his bike home. Seeing a house for sale, he stops and the owner Nick (Willie Nelson) invites him to come see it. Impulsively, he offers Michael the house for half of what it's worth, but under two conditions: Michael must accept immediately and upkeep it in line with the neighborhood.

As an adult, Michael still can't find the joy of Christmas, as he blamed himself for his big brother's death. So, their being barraged with carolers and holiday decorations upon their arrival, and for days and days makes him exasperated. He stockpiles them in the attic, as he refuses to put them up. Then, Michael's dad has a car accident while bringing David home. The child suffers a concussion, and his grandfather doesn't survive.

Michael's son David, facing the tragedy of his grandfather's death and blaming himself, motivates Michael to find his holiday spirit again. He gets a push in the right direction when he finds Nick again. He tells him that happy memories are the important ones. Michael seeks the help of his neighbor Griffin (Lyle Lovett) to help him decorate the house. Finally, David leaves his room, sees the lights and helps his dad turn them on. We see Michael's old home videos and see the face of Nick on the Santa he visits, the same who helps him find the joy of Christmas again.

Cast

Soundtrack

Track list

References

External links

Official website

Angels Sing at IMDb

Angels Sing at Rotten Tomatoes

Angels Sing at Metacritic

Text from Angels Sing on Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angels_Sing

Trivia

It premiered on October 19, 2013, a Saturday.
It runs 1h27 — a typical feature length.
As of September 20, 2026, it is on no subscription service in Brazil — only to rent or buy on Apple TV Store, Amazon Video.
This film's quiz has 13 questions — enough to play more than once without repeats.

Production

StudiosWhen Angels Sing
CountriesUnited States
LanguagesEnglish
StatusReleased

More about this film

Based on

When Angels Sing

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Cast

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Crew

Kamal Derkaoui Cinematography
Tim McCanlies Director
Carl Thiel Original music
Scott Warren Original music
Lou Berney Screenplay

Questions about this film

What is Angels Sing about?

Angels Sing: As a child, Michael Walker wished every day could be Christmas. That is, until a tragic accident crushed his holiday spirit. Thirty years later, Michael still can't muster any joy for the holidays, despite encouragement from his playful wife and well-intentioned parents. But when his young son faces a tragedy, Michael…

Who directed Angels Sing?

Angels Sing was directed by Tim McCanlies in 2013.

Who stars in Angels Sing?

The cast of Angels Sing includes Harry Connick Jr., Connie Britton, Chandler Canterbury, Fionnula Flanagan and Lyle Lovett.

How long is Angels Sing?

Angels Sing runs for 87 minutes, or 1h27.

Where can I watch Angels Sing?

Angels Sing is available on Apple TV Store and Amazon Video. Availability changes often: the list on this page is the most recent we received.

What is Angels Sing based on?

Angels Sing is based on When Angels Sing.