Writing a review of the new French film Les Choristes is a difficult task; not only can I not pronounce a single name, the movie also seems to have borrowed every character and plot twist from at least five previous, probably better films. The Dead Poets’ Society dealt with a teacher’s unorthodox methods, Almost Angels explored the relationships between Austrian choirboys and Billy Elliot delved into the troubles surrounding working-class young men. Les Choristes blends elements from all of these films smoothly, but has nothing truly original to say. It is charming, inoffensive and easy to watch, but does not add any depth or explore any new ground.
The movie begins when orchestra conductor Pierre Morhange returns home after the death of his mother and discovers his former teacher’s diary. As he reminisces, we flash back to post-World War II France. The young Pierre (Jean-Baptiste Maunier) is a troubled boy placed in a reform boarding school against the wishes of his single mother, Violette (Marie Bunel). The school has a dreary and oppressive air due to a lack of funding and a knowledge of the bleak futures awaiting the students, most of whom are poverty-stricken orphans whose parents were killed in the war. Enter Clemente Mathieu (Gerard Jugnot), a failed composer trying to earn money as a schoolteacher. After a lackluster start as a teacher, Clemente becomes frustrated with his inability to control the unruly boys. Predictably, he discovers they can sing and puts together a choir that gives all of them direction and hope. From this point on the movie travels a well-worn path. The strict headmaster cannot see the genius behind the idea of a boys choir, and a delinquent newcomer almost destroys the confidence and trust carefully constructed by Clemente. The love interest provided by Pierre’s mother seems forced, as if the writers felt that the movie had to have a little romance to form a well-rounded plot.
The movie’s saving grace is obviously not the plot line or depth of character. It is the music that carries Les Choristes. Les Petits Chanteurs de Saint-Marc Choir provide the voices for the boys, and the choir’s soprano, Jean-Baptiste Maunier, also plays the young Pierre. Music is clearly director Christophe Barratier’s forte, because only when the boys begin singing does the movie truly hit its stride. Barratier was once a choirboy himself, and his love of music shines through.
Barratier has called his film largely autobiographical, but has said he wished to keep the story simple and stay away from social issues. Perhaps if he had delved deeper into these more difficult subjects and provided more political commentary, Les Choristes could have made a truly lasting impact. Even without exploring more serious issues, Barratier’s film excels in its superb music and entertains with its enchanting, if overly familiar, characters.
