Likeable story of former musician (Gibson) who's reluctantly enlisted to become choir director for 100th year celebrations of the local church. Complicating matters is the health of her father (Smith) who runs a small hardware business, the inflexible Deaconess (Reuben) who needs things done according to tradition, and a moody teenager (Forsyth) who's hiding a sad secret. Not to mention a general lack of interest from the local media in promoting the celebration, which threatens the viability of the congregation.
Former teen idol Gibson has her hands full taming natural talent - and rank amateurs who couldn't project via a megaphone - into a chorus that will sound befitting a church choir celebrating its most momentous milestone. It's a well-worn plot scenario, but delivered with sincerity and good humour.
Gibson is natural and appears comfortable in a role which should suit her skills, similarly Reuben is assured in both her vocal and acting abilities, performing the more demanding role of the misunderstood villain with her own cross to bear.
Forsyth is an unknown quantity who almost outshines her better established co-stars at times, her role isn't perhaps all that realistic in terms of plot (there's some obvious logistical issues with her situation), but she gives the character a hard edge-soft centre for whom it's difficult not to feel immense sympathy.
Obviously there's a few singalongs, and one song in particular which garners plenty of attention ('Promises'), but aside from the musical elements, the film is technically well-made, acted (on-screen chemistry between Gibson and her co-stars always looks genuine) and contains enough material to sustain its familiar storyline.
