The Chorus
Miramax Films | Release Date: January 14, 2005
8.0
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 56 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
45
Mixed:
9
Negative:
2
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
9
EstebanF.Jun 30, 2006
The Chorus is an awesome movie with nice acting, a great storyline and an awesome soundtrack. Even if the plot is a bit cliché (a very good man makes the lives of delinquent boys better with art), it is still awesome and beautiful. The Chorus is an awesome movie with nice acting, a great storyline and an awesome soundtrack. Even if the plot is a bit cliché (a very good man makes the lives of delinquent boys better with art), it is still awesome and beautiful. The movie takes places in the '40s, a hard time for the world, and it's greatly recreated, everything, from the clothes to the buildings. The soundtrack is wonderful, and the best part is that you hear the songs all the time because it's an essential part of the plot. I don't understand the low ratings by the critics. I give it a 9/10 and I recommend this movie to everyone that has a heart, even a small one.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful
10
KathyC.Mar 14, 2006
Like Coach Carter, but for music. It's much better if you watch it in french with subtitles. AMAZING! I loved the music! :)
1 of 1 users found this helpful
4
ChadShiiraOct 24, 2006
"The Chorus" is for pseudo-sophisticates, who share the wrongheaded notion that a picture like this French import is the antidote to mainstream domestic-studio fare; when in fact, they're actually watching a film that's equally "The Chorus" is for pseudo-sophisticates, who share the wrongheaded notion that a picture like this French import is the antidote to mainstream domestic-studio fare; when in fact, they're actually watching a film that's equally unchallenging, equally banal. Faced with a true rebuke to contemporary Hollywood filmmaking such as Michael Haneke's "Cache"(the film that should've been France's entry in the 2005 Academy Awards), or Catherine Breillaut's uncompromising experiments in freeing explicit sex from the domain of porn-dom (that would be her entire oeuvre); they fidget, they sigh, they eventually leave their seats, unaware of their own dilettantism. "The Chorus" is about as challenging as a croissandwich from Jack (Jacques)-in-the-Box. The "Lord of the Flies"-like situation that greets Clement Mathieu (Gerard Jugnot) when he first steps into his classroom is too easily dispelled in too short a period of time. These troubled youths are transformed into choirboys with only the most rudimentary hitches along the way. It would've made for better drama if Clement Mathieu had rehabilitated the pyromaniac with song, instead of Morhange(Jean-Baptiste Maunier), who looks way too good-looking to be of any interest to us. With all that fresh meat running around, Fond de L'Etang is made conspicuous by being an orphanage lacking in any religious training. As a villian, Rachin(Francois Berleand), the belligerent school principal, is no match for a randy priest. Ultimately, "The Chorus" is hopelessly irrelevant. We need another "Magdalene Sisters", not "Mr. Holland's Opus".… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful
10
KentN.Oct 22, 2005
The bittersweet sensibility of Trauffaut; nuanced, unlike it's American counterparts.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
HannahX.Feb 25, 2006
It's a great movie! Recomment everyone see it!
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
EdwardR.Mar 13, 2006
Excellent movie! Don't listen to the critics - I thoroughly enjoyed this film. As an added bonus: if you're studying French (as I am), this is a fantastic aide. I've never understood this much French in my life. I believe Excellent movie! Don't listen to the critics - I thoroughly enjoyed this film. As an added bonus: if you're studying French (as I am), this is a fantastic aide. I've never understood this much French in my life. I believe it's due to the school children's age and the era in which the film is set (it's not riddled with current slang or expressions).… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
zeynelJan 27, 2012
One of my favorite films! Good actors, beautiful music, moving story with heartful characters in a perfectly-depicted after-war France, all is just perfect in this film! One of the few film where music itself is as much of a protagonist ofOne of my favorite films! Good actors, beautiful music, moving story with heartful characters in a perfectly-depicted after-war France, all is just perfect in this film! One of the few film where music itself is as much of a protagonist of the story as the characters.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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9
mapizarroOct 15, 2013
Christophe Barratier brings us a great masterpiece from French cinema. When I watched this film I was 14 years old and "Les choristes" was my first independent film. Later, I became a good cinephile. "Les choristes", like "La vita bella", isChristophe Barratier brings us a great masterpiece from French cinema. When I watched this film I was 14 years old and "Les choristes" was my first independent film. Later, I became a good cinephile. "Les choristes", like "La vita bella", is a kind movie that it give spectator a dose of joy and optimism. The score is a song to sensitive, a great score by Bruno Coulais. I don't understand why this film has such a low note by experts.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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9
nilsySep 17, 2018
Id compare the feeling it evokes somewhat similar to forest gump, it has that feel-good wibe to it. Just like forest gump it has characters that are bit depressed and grumpy or sad,but instead of the gump this movie replaces him withId compare the feeling it evokes somewhat similar to forest gump, it has that feel-good wibe to it. Just like forest gump it has characters that are bit depressed and grumpy or sad,but instead of the gump this movie replaces him with music... sounds odd but but it makes the movie work.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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7
alejandro970Apr 10, 2020
A school teacher who was capable to change for good, through the music, the lives of the untamable, undisciplined children of a correctional. Not quite inspirational or something new under the sun, but it's a worthwhile choice for a weekend evening.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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10
tornanxDec 7, 2018
The movie made me journey to my childhood with tiny drops of happy tears. Music is legenday and acting is amazing. ı wish there would be follow ups.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
auburnnJan 16, 2018
Great discussion of significance of music education for children. Wish I've met great teachers.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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10
FilipeNetoOct 15, 2021
This film takes place in the mid-twentieth century, in a French reformatory for children who are orphans or who have had legal problems. The story is quite cliché, but it's extremely effective for the film, and it works wonderfully: it's aThis film takes place in the mid-twentieth century, in a French reformatory for children who are orphans or who have had legal problems. The story is quite cliché, but it's extremely effective for the film, and it works wonderfully: it's a teacher's flashback passage through that reformatory. He immediately sensed the climate of repression and anger experienced in the institution, and fueled by the brutal methods of the leadership. Disagreeing with this, he began to educate the children in his own way, eventually forming a small choir that helped at least some of the young people escape delinquency.

The film is very good and one of those excellent French films that is lost due to the lack of millionaire publicity and greater interest in European cinema. It's a familiar and friendly film, with uplifting moral messages and great music. Music works not only as a language to express feelings and communicate, but also as a therapy for the accumulated anger and frustrations of that group of children.

The film's cast is headed by Gérard Jugnot, an actor I didn't know yet, even though the face is familiar to me, and I really enjoyed seeing here. François Berléand gave life to the villain, the unfriendly and rude director of the institution, but he does a very good job and steals our attention whenever he shows up. The character lived at school with his wife and kids, but I felt this was a hook for a sub-plot that never came to anything concrete. Kad Merad and Jean-Paul Bonnaire also proved to be good additions to the cast.

Technically, the film is a gem of quality at a low price. Without the spectacularity and resources of the American film industry, this film offers us exquisite cinematography, with excellent colors and good camera work, an intelligent use of light and shadow, and magnificent and well-chosen sets. But it is in the soundtrack and in the use of children's voices that the film really acquires magic, especially for classical music lovers, as is my case. A note of praise also for the use of period props and costumes, which help the film to fit in well with the period portrayed.… Expand
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10
AndurilUnlogicSep 24, 2018
Amazing movie, and one of my all time favorites. The soundtrack in the film is absolutely fantastic, the acting great and the story (although extremely cliche) heartwarming. Watching the movie in French made it even better.
10/10 would recommend.
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