Music Changed Their Lives

Rating: 8/10 (20 January 2006)

On 15 January 1949, the former music teacher Clément Mathieu (Gérard Jugnot) arrives in "Fond de l' Etang" ("Bottom of the Well"), a boarding school for orphans and problematic boys, to work as an inspector. The place is administrated with iron fist by the cruel director Rachin (François Berléand), and most of the boys have severe punishments for their faults. Clément decides to teach the boys to sing in a choir in their spare time, and identify the musical potential of the rebel Pierre Morhange (Jean-Baptiste Maunier), the son of a beautiful single mother for whom he feels a crush. He also has a special feeling for the young Pépinot (Maxence Perrin), a boy that expects the visit of his father every Saturday near the gate, but indeed lost his parents in the war. With his methods, Clément changes the lives of the boys, of the other employees and his own.
"Les Choristes" is a very simple, but also sensitive movie. I personally like both of the central themes, teaching and music, and this delightful movie was very special for me. This beautiful feel-good story is disclosed in a perfect pace, with great performances of the cast, and with a wonderful surprising twist practically in the last scene as if it were a fairy-tale. The songs are adorable and I recommend this movie to viewers that like a simple, touching and very real story. My last advice is to keep a handkerchief close to you for the last heartbreaking scene. My vote is eight.
Title (Brazil): "A Voz do Coração" ("The Voice of the Heart")