In director John Korty's ode to the perseverance of the human spirit, a recent divorcee strives to rebuild her life by moving to San Francisco. With jumbled day-to-day jobs, the newly single Zoe Jensen (Michael Learned) finds consistency with a local church choir practicing Handel's "Messiah." But the harsh instruction of choirmaster Ephraim Adams (John Houseman) pushes Zoe and each of the choir members to their limits during the holiday season.