STARRING
Ralph Fiennes, Roger Allam, Amara Okereke, Simon Russell Beale, Thomas Howes, Mark Addy DIRECTED BY
Nicholas Hytner SCREENPLAY
Alan Bennett MPA RATING
Rated R RUNNING TIME
108 Mins. DISTRIBUTED BY
Sony Pictures Classics OFFICIAL IMDB
Movie Review: The Choral
I'd dare say there's never been a Nicholas Hytner film that I haven't wanted to watch more than once. The same is true with his latest effort, the Ralph Fiennes led The Choral, a rather traditional Brit pic in all the familiar and fabulous ways.
The film is set during World War I. The war has impacted all of Europe including the town of Ramsden in England. The town's choirmaster has gone off to the Army; the possible replacement can be found in, ugh, Germany. That man, Dr. Henry Guthrie (Fiennes), is available and willing despite Alderman Duxbury's (Roger Allam) resistance.
After all, the show must go on.
The dilemma here is quite obvious. With all of the younger men having gone off to war, it is younger males, females, and a few not quite vocally equipped elders who are left to carry on the annual tradition. We'll meet the young lads rather quickly - Lofty (Oliver Briscombe) is a local tasked with delivering telegraphed death notices along with his best friends Ellis (Taylor Uttley) and Mitch (Shaun Thomas). While all three are seventeen-years-old and too young to enlist, they'll be conscripted upon their next birthday. Other standouts here include Mary (Amara Okereke), Bella (Emily Fairn), and Clyde (Jacob Dudman).
There are conflicts galore to be found here, perhaps one of the challenges faced by this satisfying yet occasionally overburdened narrative. Fiennes is, per usual, masterful in his portrayal of Dr. Guthrie and in capturing the little nuances of offering something resembling communal normalcy during a time of war. There's a strong tension that mostly bubbles beneath the surface here, an awareness of immense loss and of music's ability to offer something resembling healing and unity.
The story is written by Alan Bennett, the last living member of Beyond the Fringe and a frequent collaborator with Hytner. Hytner has brought us a number of terrific films including The Madness of King George, The History Boys, The Object of My Affection along with quite a few stage productions.
Along with Fiennes, I found myself completely enthralled by Amara Okereke's turn as Salvation Army volunteer Mary. With a sublime voice and charismatic presence, Okereke commands the screen magnificently. Truthfully, the entire ensemble is strong here.
From its opening moments, I was quite taken by Mike Eley's lensing and original music from George Fenton. While The Choral may not be the best motion picture you see this year, it's a rather beautiful film with a strong ensemble and meaningful storytelling.
