En fanfare

A moving rendition of the bond between two brothers at opposite ends of the social spectrum, of what a life's achievement means, and of the consequences of single decisions by parents on a child's destiny.

The screenplay manages to blend funny dialogues, unexpected situations, and serious moments. What could have been "only" a sad drama escapes that trap. With a great supporting cast, B Lavernhe and P Lottin succeed in bringing to life the bond and tension between a renowned director and an amateur brass band member E Courcol's, M Tomersy's, O Bonduel's, I Muscari and K Amara's storytelling and the quality of acting combine to make it one the great movies I've seen this year.

I don't have an easy tear, but my eyes were shining as I left the hall.

Masterful performance by Benjamin Lavernhe. The story is very nice, light but not superficial, never dull.

Many melodies run through the film, the comedy, the drama, the 'protest' film (it reminded me of Kean Loach).

The red thread is music, in its purest manifestations from classical to jazz. The popular declination is very successful, making it a film for everyone. I will take my 9- and 12-year-old children to see it.

I think the only "flaw" in the film is the direction. Some parts of the film are not tied together well. But the rendering is still effective and, above all, emotionally impactful.

It's only the beginning of 2025 and already I feel like I've seen the best movie of the year.

It's one of the best movies I have ever seen.

'En Fanfare' reminds me a bit of 'Brassed Off', also about a brass band but then in a coal mine in The United Kingdom.

The beautiful classic music ties in nicely with the beautiful song 'Emmenez moi' of Charles Aznavour, my favourite French singer. The two leading actors - Benjamin Lavernhe and Pierre Lotin - are excellent in their roles of two brothers who only verly late in live know that they are brothers. It's a drama but with a lot of warmth and some laughs.

One can completely empathize with this realistic and deeply human story.

I highly recommend everyone to watch this beautiful film, but on the big screen in the cinema.

And when the film ended, there was applause from part of the almost full hall. I had never experienced this before in cinema, and I have been going for many years.

"The Marching Band" (2024) is one of those rare films that stays with you long after the credits roll. Directed with incredible sensitivity and vision, it captures the raw emotions of its characters and presents a story that feels both deeply personal and universally relatable.

The performances are outstanding - every actor brings authenticity and depth to their role. The music, naturally central to the story, is woven in so seamlessly that it feels like a character of its own, carrying the audience through moments of joy, sorrow, and quiet reflection.

What moved me most was how the film portrayed resilience and human connection without ever feeling forced or overly sentimental. It's honest, heartfelt storytelling at its best.

Visually, the movie is stunning too - each frame feels carefully composed, almost poetic. The director's touch is gentle yet firm, allowing the story to unfold naturally while maintaining a clear artistic vision.

I wholeheartedly recommend "The Marching Band" to anyone who loves films that speak to the soul. It's a beautiful reminder of the power of art, music, and human perseverance.

This film does not waste time to get into the story and felt a bit rushed but it didn't matter as you do get to know the characters and their motivations in the end. I would say the film is still a bit choppy here and there but it had a lot of emotion and genuinely touching scenes.

By the time the last scene of the film reaches crescendo I could not hold tears. This film is a reminder to us all to remember to show people you care. We all feel that.

On the last note, I can't remember when I saw a French film in the cinema. What a treat. It's very very refreshing to see actors looking like real people with lines on their faces and the odd misaligned teeth. Bravo!