Der Klang der Weihnacht

This movie is somehow different from all the other typical Hallmark movies. We know the conflict between the main characters from the beginning and not in the last 15 minutes, which is a good change.

The plot is believable. Both main and supporting cast were amazing as well. The dynamic between the leads is nice, no chemistry to die for, but it works. I'm also glad there was no exaggerated drama throughout the whole movie, it makes it more enjoyable.

Before I watched it, I hesitated a lot whether to do it or not. I do not regret it at all. This is indeed a lovely Christmas movie to enjoy during the holidays.

Robin Dunne & Lindy Booth who play a young widower and a music teacher who tutors his teenage daughter - both do well with the usual HM clichéd script. They give fresh & well-meaning performances into their roles. Robin especially does well as an executive ,whose company has bought the Music School and want to turn it into offices. Do they save the school ? Does the Christmas concert go well ? Does Boy get Girl ? Do we care ? .........well, yes we do. It's an above-average Hallmark Christmas movie - so put your feet up & relax !

The bubbly fast talking niceness of Lindy Booth made this one very enjoyable. The lead actor Robin Dunne was just perfect in his role. He so reminds me of Alex Kendrick from "Facing the Giants" which I love. The supporting cast was just perfect as well. Especially well placed was Derek McGrath (Dr Hebert from DOC). The assistant's part was excellent and played by Robin Dunne's newlywed wife. The role of Cynthia perfect and Sam as well. The scenes with the daughter were some of the best. Yes we will watch this one again.

Some things I didn't know. This is Lindy Booth's 4th Christmas movie. She played a terrible part for her in Christmas in Boston in 2005 which was a good movie. In 2011 she stars in Christmas Magic and in 2013 in the Twelve Trees of Christmas (both which I have not seen- but will now). The 2013 movie plot is actually similar to this movie and costars Robin Dunne.

Full disclosure. I fell asleep in the middle of this movie, but in my defense, I was in bed with this on at the time. Never the less, I wanted to log my review in order to compliment Micah Kalisch as the formidable teen daughter, the cheerful wholesome Lindy Booth, the ruthless boss, Damon Runyan, and even the guy that played the hero. I found him strangely appealing. The acting was outstanding. I'm going to go back and look at the middle. If I change my review, I'll let you know. But great casting and good acting can over-ride a lot of other flaws.

'Sound of Christmas' surprised me and in a good, pleasant way. It is one of those films that could have gone either way of charming and light-hearted or cheesy and too schmaltzy, and on the most part it was the former. While the title is a corny one, it is also catchy and while the premise is very typical Hallmark it did intrigue. Both Lindy Booth and Robin Dunne have been good in other things, though the filmographies for both of them are very variable.

The film is no masterpiece or a film that will win any major awards, then again neither of those should be expected watching a Hallmark Christmas film. 'Sound of Christmas' though is still very charming and has plenty to like and be engaged by. Proof that Hallmark should be given a chance without prejudice or scorn, in my mind they are by some, because there have been times where they show they have a good film in them and 'Sound of Christmas' is one of them definitely.

By all means, 'Sound of Christmas' has its issues. It doesn't do much new with a very familiar formula so the final third especially is very predictable. A primary example being the fairly rushed and too neat ending, a common problem with Hallmark and especially their Christmas output.

Actually do think personally that some of the music felt repetitive and could have been used less. Some of the dialogue is pretty corny early on.

However, both Booth and Dunne give very engaging performances, Booth is a ray of sunshine and to me she didn't overdo anything (other female leading ladies for Hallmark have fared far worse than this) and Dunne has a natural charisma and charm. Both characters are easy to get behind, or at least to me they were, with flaws not being overdone and neither character is too perfect either. Their chemistry sparkles and the relationship develops realistically, there is conflict early on instead of the out of the blue contrived misunderstandings that are seen a lot but the conflict doesn't go on for too long. The supporting cast support them very nicely.

Furthermore, 'Sound of Christmas' is a lovely looking film, particularly the photography, and enough of the music is fitting with the atmosphere and more subtle in placement and tone than a lot of Hallmark Christmas films, that are known for intrusive music. The dialogue has some corn early on but takes itself more seriously than most Hallmark films, with some welcome levity here and there, without being overly so and it has flow and heart. The story is somewhat formulaic, but is very heart-warming and sincere.

Concluding, nice film. 7/10.