The Christmas Choir
| The Christmas Choir | |
|---|---|
Official Film Poster
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| Directed by | Peter Svatek |
| Produced by | Michael Prupas |
| Written by | Donald Martin |
| Starring |
Jason Gedrick Rhea Perlman Tyrone Benskin Michael Sarrazin Marianne Farley Cindy Sampson |
| Music by | James Gelfand |
| Cinematography | Eric Cayla |
| Edited by | Stephanie Gregoire |
| Distributed by | Hallmark Channel |
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Release date
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Running time
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90 minutes |
| Country |
Canada United States |
| Language | English |
The Christmas Choir is a 2008 made for television holiday film written by Donald Martin and directed by Peter Svatek, It is based upon a true story of a man who volunteered to work at a homeless shelter and started a choir with its residents. The film first aired in December 2008 on the Hallmark Channel. The film was Michael Sarrazin's final screen role. It was inspired by the true story of Pierre Anthian and the Montreal Accrual Bonneau Choir.
Peter Brockman (Jason Gedrick) is a successful accountant and engaged to be married. Then, nineteen days before Christmas, his life is turned upside down when his fiancée Jill (Cindy Sampson) dumps him, telling him he is an emotionally detached workaholic. While drinking a soda at a lounge, he has a chance encounter with Bob (Tyrone Benskin), a blues pianist and singer, who is working there solely for tips. The two talk about their mutual love of music, and of Peter's childhood dream of becoming a musician. When Bob invites Peter to his house for dinner and a jam session, Peter is amazed by the musical abilities of the other occupants. Unbeknownst to him, the home is actually a shelter for homeless people. He eventually meets the woman who runs the shelter, a caring, but also tough and straight-talking nun, Sister Agatha (Rhea Perlman). He decides the best way he can help the shelter and its members create income and opportunities is to organize some of the men into a choir.
The choir improves, becoming more proficient each day. Meanwhile, Peter and the other members go through their own personal problems, problems that create obstacles to the choir's success. But they succeed, with the men growing emotionally and coping far better with their problems because of the self-respect and dignity they gain from being part of the choir. Their interdependence in the choir also leads them to helping one another in life as well. Eventually the choir becomes truly wonderful, and successful. They begin by performing in the subway, but soon are giving real concerts as well. Peter also meets Marilyn, a woman who helps him grow into a far better man.
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