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I have seen this movie a few times already and have just now decided to review it. I have not done that before because I did not think there are many things to be said about it, but I believe this movie deserves it for me to try to squeeze something out.
I first saw the movie when it was shown to us (the group) at college during one of the final methodology lessons in June. It was, I thought, just an excuse to take a breather after the exam session. The teacher said that if we were going to watch a movie, it would have to be something with educational value for us, the future teachers. I didn't expect much. When the starting credits rolled I realized I have never before as much as heard of this flick and having noted that it was French, I concluded I would probably not enjoy it. Boy, was I wrong. At some point the lesson ended and there was still half an hour of the movie left. The people who had affairs to attend to left the classroom, while me and a group of others stayed. It's quite a spectacular achievement to make a bunch of bored and tired college students willingly stick around after the classes are over, mind you.
Anyway, the story follows a teacher who gets a job at a school for difficult children. He quickly realizes that the place is run by a devious man who does not care about the children he is trusted with, and who does pretty much everything methodology course books say not to do. At first, the children, as one would expect, are insolent and disruptive due to the methods of the principal. Yet, he manages to bring out the best in his students by not treating them like prisoners for a change, and he eventually inspires them to change their attitudes by forming a chorus in which Morhange, a student particularly notorious for his behavior and lack of initiative, becomes the leading singer.
As for the general movie stuff, there really is not much to be said. The acting is surprisingly good considering that much of the cast were children. The story itself is unoriginal yet amazingly gripping. What makes it that way is the sentiment factor of the movie. Perhaps due to the fact that (hopefully) I will one day become a teacher myself, I may not stay objective about this, but the teacher in the movie is a very memorable character. He is not portrayed as a perfect, know-it-all mastermind of teaching. He gets nervous, he gets confused, he loses many battles which he has to fight with his misbehaving students and the principal, and yet he achieves his ultimate goal. For me, this is a source of inspiration. For many, I hope, it might be food for thought concerning the profession of a teacher.
Still, if the inspiration and good acting were the only things Les Choristes had to offer, it would only be a three-star movie. There is something which puts it among the best of movies: the soundtrack. I have quite a big collection of music. In fact, I have never met anyone who could top it. The collection includes albums ranging from '80s hits, through rock and metal, to orchestral masterpieces. Name any musical genre and chances are I have some examples of it. Being a man who loves music, I have never before heard such a beautiful choral soundtrack. Maybe one day I will hear something better, but right now it seems like that moment is distant, if not unrealistic.
Seriously, take a break from reading this review, drop everything you are doing, listen, and let the art speak for itself:
If you liked it, the entire concert is available somewhere on youtube.
As a whole this movie is spectacularly memorable. It does not have the best story, nor the best... anything, really, aside from the music, but the sheer amount of sentimental value makes it a masterpiece. Even if you are not interested in becoming a teacher, and even if the music is not to your liking, the atmosphere and the cinematography will make you love it, for the events take place in 1949, and let you breathe in the feel of those days in a different way than usual, as the movie has nothing to do with World War II. Les Choristes will always have a special place in my heart.
The Chorus (Les Choristes) (2004)
I have seen this movie a few times already and have just now decided to review it. I have not done that before because I did not think there are many things to be said about it, but I believe this movie deserves it for me to try to squeeze something out.
I first saw the movie when it was shown to us (the group) at college during one of the final methodology lessons in June. It was, I thought, just an excuse to take a breather after the exam session. The teacher said that if we were going to watch a movie, it would have to be something with educational value for us, the future teachers. I didn't expect much. When the starting credits rolled I realized I have never before as much as heard of this flick and having noted that it was French, I concluded I would probably not enjoy it. Boy, was I wrong. At some point the lesson ended and there was still half an hour of the movie left. The people who had affairs to attend to left the classroom, while me and a group of others stayed. It's quite a spectacular achievement to make a bunch of bored and tired college students willingly stick around after the classes are over, mind you.
Anyway, the story follows a teacher who gets a job at a school for difficult children. He quickly realizes that the place is run by a devious man who does not care about the children he is trusted with, and who does pretty much everything methodology course books say not to do. At first, the children, as one would expect, are insolent and disruptive due to the methods of the principal. Yet, he manages to bring out the best in his students by not treating them like prisoners for a change, and he eventually inspires them to change their attitudes by forming a chorus in which Morhange, a student particularly notorious for his behavior and lack of initiative, becomes the leading singer.
As for the general movie stuff, there really is not much to be said. The acting is surprisingly good considering that much of the cast were children. The story itself is unoriginal yet amazingly gripping. What makes it that way is the sentiment factor of the movie. Perhaps due to the fact that (hopefully) I will one day become a teacher myself, I may not stay objective about this, but the teacher in the movie is a very memorable character. He is not portrayed as a perfect, know-it-all mastermind of teaching. He gets nervous, he gets confused, he loses many battles which he has to fight with his misbehaving students and the principal, and yet he achieves his ultimate goal. For me, this is a source of inspiration. For many, I hope, it might be food for thought concerning the profession of a teacher.
Still, if the inspiration and good acting were the only things Les Choristes had to offer, it would only be a three-star movie. There is something which puts it among the best of movies: the soundtrack. I have quite a big collection of music. In fact, I have never met anyone who could top it. The collection includes albums ranging from '80s hits, through rock and metal, to orchestral masterpieces. Name any musical genre and chances are I have some examples of it. Being a man who loves music, I have never before heard such a beautiful choral soundtrack. Maybe one day I will hear something better, but right now it seems like that moment is distant, if not unrealistic.
Seriously, take a break from reading this review, drop everything you are doing, listen, and let the art speak for itself:
If you liked it, the entire concert is available somewhere on youtube.
As a whole this movie is spectacularly memorable. It does not have the best story, nor the best... anything, really, aside from the music, but the sheer amount of sentimental value makes it a masterpiece. Even if you are not interested in becoming a teacher, and even if the music is not to your liking, the atmosphere and the cinematography will make you love it, for the events take place in 1949, and let you breathe in the feel of those days in a different way than usual, as the movie has nothing to do with World War II. Les Choristes will always have a special place in my heart.