'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.
