A lark ascending...

Rating: 10/10 (31 December 2007)

This is a film to make the soul sing.
A new warden, Clément Mattieu, (Gérard Jugnot) arrives at an "internat", what is to all extent and purposes a borstal, to find boys out of control and a sadistic head (jean-Paul Bonnaire). Clément begins a choir and small changes begin...
"Les Choristes" is a marvel - here there is little posing and much poise - all the parts are well done, especially Jugnot and the children. they seem to have gathered the most natural group of children I have seen in a long time. Their acting reminded me of Danny Boyle's Millions - though that is a modern fable it has much the same effect - but "Les Choristes" has not one dud scene it.
The time flies by watching this - as things get desperate then better.
Of course, the music is wonderful, and the part of Pierre Mohange (jean-Baptiste Maunier) is beautifully played. The pacing is perfection, nothing is rushed, and we are left to understand the utter misery as well as the joy here for all along the way - it is not a fairytale - though it does lift the soul wonderfully by its end
This is only director Christophe Barratier's second feature film and is extremely impressive on that basis.
Highest recommendation.
Immensely charming, and very watchable.