Starring: Kristin Scott Thomas, Sharon Horgan, Amy-James Kelly, Greg Wise, Jason Flemyng
Distributor: Transmission Films
Runtime: 112 mins. Reviewed in Mar 2020
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This British comedy-drama is directed from a screenplay written by Roseanne Flynn and Rachel Tunnard. It tells the story of a group of women who form a choir while their partners are away serving in Afghanistan. The film was inspired by a true story about a network of 75 choirs in British military bases across the UK, which were featured in the British television series, “The Choir”. The Director of the film (Peter Cattaneo) directed “The Full Monty” in 1997.
The husbands and partners of all the women in this film were on active war service, and the women left behind were anxious about the welfare of their loved-ones, and feared for their safety. Seeking emotional support, they find it in each other, and they come together to sing in a Choir. The result is a classic crowd-pleaser of a movie that focuses on women who gain emotional strength through friendship in shared adversity.
Kristin Scott Thomas plays Kate, an uptight wife, who is materially well off, and Sharon Horgan plays Lisa, who is not so well off, down to earth, and initially cynical about what the choir is trying to achieve. The film is intermingled with moments of sadness and pathos. Above it all, the film’s musical soundtrack involves the viewer in popular hits, anthems, and rock tunes. For each member of the Choir, anxiety was always present that there might be no return from the battle field for the one they love. Scott Thomas shines as Kate.
The film vividly captures the drama of people with different backgrounds. For Sarah (Amy-James Kelly), it is her husband’s first tour of duty, and she is stressed. Kate and her husband (Greg Wise, as the regiment’s colonel), have already had to endure the sadness of having their only son lost in action. The individual circumstances are mixed with the conflict between Kate and Lisa – both of them are would-be Choir leaders, and they have conflicts that require resolution urgently. Kate and Lisa have different strategies for leading the Choir. Lisa wants pop-songs and Kate prefers hymns, but they work through their differences to turn the group of military wives into a well disciplined Choir that ends up performing to rapturous acclaim at the Festival of Remembrance at The Royal Albert Hall in London.
The drama focuses on the courage and bravery of women associated with men at war, and communicates the cathartic power of the music that gave them strength to cope. The group of women were resolved to support each other through song, but every woman in the Choir dreaded the fateful knock at the door, or getting official notification from the war zone. Kate does what she can to distract the group of wives from hearing bad news, which she has experienced in the past.
This is a human interest story with heart that uses a large ensemble cast to convey its messages. The Choir is pushed into action by Lisa and well disciplined by Kate, and becomes good enough to perform at The Royal Albert Hall. Today, there are 2,000 women singing at some 74 British army bases around the world to continue the legacy.
The film doesn’t communicate a moral position on whether the war in Afghanistan is justified, or not, nor does it take a stand on the ethics of killing on the battle field. First and foremost, it offers a tribute to female unity, and it uses music as a way of coping with loneliness and fear.
This is a film directed by Peter Cattaneo to make the viewer feel good, and to be entertained. It lacks the Joie de Vivre of “The Full Monty”, but communicates strongly the value of community that cements friendship and feelings of belongingness to one another.
The film tugs at the heartstrings in a sentimental, and predictable way, but it is enormously warm and good-hearted, and it highlights a very positive approach to handling emotional distress.
Peter W. Sheehan is an Associate of the Australian Catholic Office for Film and Broadcasting
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