Michael (Harry Connick Jr.) lives in Austin, TX, with his lovely wife (Connie Britton) and 10-year-old son David (Chandler Canterbury). They seem like the perfect family, until the subject of Christmas with his parents comes up. Michael complains about visiting his folks for Thanksgiving and refuses to consider visiting for Christmas, in spite of the enthusiasm of his wife and son.
It turns out Michael has issues with his father and the holiday dating back to a childhood tragedy, which he will have to deal with when something happens to his son. In the meantime, he has a bicycle accident due to a reindeer that leads him to a house for sale by a quirky old guy named Nick who agrees to sell it for just what Michael can afford.
The house is on an Austin street known for its Christmas decorations, and on moving in, the family is greeted by a succession of neighbors bearing decorations and holiday music, Michael puts all the lights and decorations in the attic with no intention of putting them up, in spite of a promise to Nick to keep the house up to the standards of the neighborhood.What a cast! Nick is played by Willie Nelson as a possibly magical man who pops up in the most unlikely places and gives Michael the advice he needs. Kris Kristofferson is Michael's father, who wishes he could share his love of Christmas with his son and grandson. Lyle Lovett is one of the new neighbors who shows up on the doorstep with holiday lights and a song. Many small roles are played by other Texas musicians,
With a dedicated website, this movie seems to have had larger ambitions than a slot in the basic-cable rotation. By the way, it's based on the book When Angels Sing by Turk Pipkin.
eee Three out of five presents!
