![The Chorus [2004]](http://www.find-dvd.co.uk/pictures/1016833.jpg)
The Chorus (aka: Les Choristes)
Overall: 95%
Feature: 95%
Extras: 95%
The Chorus (aka: Les Choristes) (2004)
In France 1949, an unemployed music teacher Clement Mathieu (Gerard Jugnot) is hired as supervisor in a boarding school for troubled children. The extreme and repressive Rachin, the school's director, has trouble keeping these pupils in line. By introducing them to the magic, power and expressiveness of singing Mathieu changes their lives forever
It can sometimes be said that films are things of beauty. This is a beautiful and exceptional film because it has a delicacy and naturalness about it, while not shying away from the vulnerability and sadness that set the tone of the film. It is a film whose impact will take you by surprise. I think it is incredible achievement which is both clever and moving. The music is simply flawless, the film’s pace seems just right and while the film is sub-titled, it draws you in so much.
This is a film you will watch to the very end. You will be rewarded with one of the most poignant and uplifting single moments of European cinema in recent years. I think ‘Les Choristes’ is a totally wonderful film and I wish there were more films with this storytelling ability.
EXTRAS:Extras are confined to scene selection, a trailer for the film and an excellent 70 minute ‘making of..’ documentary revealing just how much the team that brought this film put into it both emotionally and financially. Unlike a lot of documentaries making up film extras, this is an excellent portrait of the behind the scenes process of putting a film together and the challenges of making a period piece with young actors. It has a great deal of charm and humour and for the documentary alone is a good addition to a foreign film collection.
Donald MacDonald
FEATURE: 95%
EXTRAS: 95%
OVERALL: 95%
