KIRK FRANKLIN'S A GOSPEL CHRISTMAS

US, 2019, 85 minutes, Colour.

Demetria McKinney, Chaz Lamar Shepherd, Angela Birchett, Kendra C.Johnson, Deandra C. West.

Directed by Erica Sutherlin.

Kirk Franklin is well known in the United States, a composer, singer and, especially, a choirmaster. He supplies the songs for this story of a young woman, brought up by pastors in Chicago, feeling somewhat inferior in her attitude towards herself, her mother organising her to take up the role of pastor in a small Texas town. She is Olivia, played by Demetria McKinney – who, eventually, proves herself a strong singer and, after many gaffes, especially in organisation, is accepted by the community as their pastor.

The film is made for an African-American audience. Most of the characters are African-American – although in the Texas town there is a collaboration between all races, especially for an annual pre-Christmas celebration. And, eventually, for the celebration, the African-American choir combines with a white American rock group to present the opening music.

In many ways, and as expected, the story is rather predictable. But audiences will enjoy it nonetheless. And, it is full of sentiment, at times very sentimental.

There is an engaging musician in the church, frustrated by his jobs, who is immediately attracted to Olivia. The film spends a lot of time with their company, their romance. There are eager supporters for the new pastor. However, the sister of the revered former pastor is very critical, not accepting Olivia, cantankerous and critical, but, with the final performance, eventually won over.

This is a Lifetime production.