Directed by Peter Cattaneo and starring Kirsten Scott Thomas and Sharon Horgan, this was a film, I have to admit, that I went into the cinema thinking that it wouldn't be my cup of tea. It would be too mumsy, cheesey, superficial, or even just too 'feminine'. None of those preceding adjectives however were true, in fact, they couldn't have been further from the mark.
The story, based on and inspired by the formation of the first Military Wives' Choir, is an emotional rollercoaster which had me laughing and crying in equal measure. From a group of disparate wives of varying ages and experiences with only the tenous link of all being married to servicemen, to performing at The Festival Of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall, this film is flawless in its execution. Immaculate and relatable performances from the whole cast, combined with sensitive direction and the use and inclusion of the real locations and current servicemen as extras, bring a truth to this story, despite it not being exactly how the real choir started. It's a film and entertainment first and foremost and doesn't at any point pretend to be a historical documentary.
I'd like to include a short quote here from director Peter Cattaneo: "As I started meeting real military wives, rich themes soon showed themselves: a fragmented group of people finding unity and camaraderie through song; women who are expected to “keep quiet and carry on” finding their voices. We got to know some very courageous and candid military wives and the personal stories they shared were humbling, sometimes harrowing, often hilarious. I was struck by their honest, down-to-earth sense of humour and I was determined to fill the film with this kind of comedy. We shot at RMB Catterick, which was where the first Military Wives' choir was formed. The base supplied specific uniforms, vehicles, locations and advice. We used serving soldiers and their families as extras and the location for Kate’s house was the actual setting for the first ever Military Wives' Choir meeting in 2010." For me this tells you all you need to know about this superbly crafted film. It's advertised as a "feel-good" film, and I suppose that adjective - despite its overuse in many a review - is apt here, but this film is so much more too. It's inspirational, shows the power of community, of resiliance and of music... the film is just as much about music as anything.
The film ultimately is about how singing and music 'saved' this group of servicemen's wives and how many such choirs were formed in other bases throughout the UK and worldwide as a direct consequence and how these choirs thrive and continue to inspire and 'heal' those married to a member of the armed forces. With a lovely balance of humour, pathos, drama, and everything in between, I should also credit the writers of the screenplay too, Rachel Tunnard and Rosanne Flynn, who have managed to capture the essence of a heartwarming story without it desecending into sugar-coated territory, keeping it real and gritty.
Number 9 don't give star ratings, but if we did then this would be an easy 5!
Reviewer - Matthew Dougall
on - 11/2/20
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