La Chorale

It's the summer of 1916, and the industrial town of Ramsden in Yorkshire is feeling the effects of World War I. When their choirmaster volunteers, the committee of the local choral society reluctantly recruits the controversial Dr Guthrie - German-loving, atheist and gay - to lead their efforts.

Led by a predictably titanic performance from Ralph Fiennes, the film's strong cast lead us through many of the varying complexities of life during the war with a combination of humour and pathos, taking - for the most part - a relatively light touch. That approach creates the film's major strength and its major weakness: in touching upon these issues without drawing them out, it keeps the focus on the music and the tone of the movie relatively pleasant and enjoyable; however, in introducing so many social issues and then failing to address any of them properly, it feels somewhat like the filmmakers chickened out of making the film they wanted to make.

The principal focus is, of course, the music, and this is (eventually) performed wonderfully, led by the impressive vocal talents of Amara Okereke and Jacob Dudman. The journey from the ragtag band of overinflated egos to the denouement performance is well-told, if a tad predictable.

The other major theme is the war, and here the film underplays its hand a little. Elements of it are touching, but - despite some serious injuries on display, a soliloquy on the hell of war from Clyde, and a conversation about "the things you've seen" - the impact of the conflict on the returning soldiers is mostly left unexplored. Clyde, for example, appears to be far more concerned about his lost love than any physical or psychological scars he bears from his time in the trenches. It seems singing cures all such ills.

Other social issues of the time, such as religion, class division, even prostitution, are mostly played for laughs. The film seems intent at some points on making a serious point about homosexuality, but having set itself up for this, it fizzles out without anything of substance landing. At various points the film also seems ready to embark on a treatise that there is more that unites Britain and Germany than divides them, but again seems to lose heart.

The result is a film that is pleasant, enjoyable, and very watchable, but which fails to land any meaningful blows on most of the issues it raises.

Some huge names in this film. Was expecting a lot and it didn't disappoint. Was very impressed with the acting and costumes.

Great opening scene with the telegram coming to the door and the lady with her little boy. Probably being told his dad is dead!

The script is very well thought out and extremely moving.

Went to see it on remembrance Sunday and was a great experience.

Well done to all involved.

It might have been because I love the dialogue of Alan Bennett, it might have been also because it was filmed within 5 miles of my house and I could revel in the street and mill scenes that are so familiar to me, it might also have been because I can happily sit and listen to music like this and just be. What I think it actually was, was the story - coming of age, the futility of war, the nonsense of people judging others - all contributing to a feel good lovely piece of cinema.

And yes the man I met in a shop recently who gleefully told me about this film at the till and how he was in it - so I watched for him too and saw his moment of scene time with pleasure.

I'd heard mixed reports from my choral contacts so I didn't have high expectations but was pleasantly surprised. At first sight, the sets and dialogue seemed unrealistic but it soon became apparent this was deliberate. The real thrust of the plot was to reflect on the horror of war through Elgar's masterpiece. A brilliant idea, which reminded me of some of the heavy irony in the poetry written at the time and in particular how that was also reflected in Britten's War Requiem. A few months ago, I sang the Elgar for the first time, and although I loved the music, the Newman words did nothing for me. But in this film the clever interpretation of the piece was extremely moving. While the underlying anti-war message was absolutely clear, Bennett's storyline had no shortage of humorous moments. Highly recommended.

Just seen this film. I didn't expect it to be so moving and a very timely reminder of the futility of war. The singing was beautiful and the two main soloists were incredible. The storyline contrasts the horror of war against the beauty of music. I left the cinema feeling deeply moved and hopeful that the collective human spirit can transcend the depths of despair.