It may sound rather formulaic – in the mould of Dead Poet’s society: bad pupils – good teacher – everyone happy in the end. But, it is not like that. There is no easy path and the film has a simple charm and avoids any pretension. Not everything works out as expected; ClĂ©ment Mathieu (GĂ©rard Jugnot) is the new supervisor and he has a wonderful role, failed musician, failed in love, and in the end we see him traipsing off into anonymity. Yet, his modesty and efforts to offer a different approach to the authoritarian rule of the headmaster do confirm the idea that most (if not all, can overcome adversity and find hope in unlikely circumstances.)

The music is at times ethereal and haunting. The fact that it stems from such a harsh environment only heightens the capacity of music to transcend difficulties and misunderstanding.

The Chorus is well done with a typical French flair and realism. It had me searching whether it was based on a true story or not.

Les Choristes at IMDB

Les Choristes at Amazon.co.uk

Sound Clip from Les Choristes

The traditional British London crime mobs are done over by some visiting Australian criminals (pretending to be cops) Eventually, the British criminals get so exasperated they arrange to do a deal with the Scotland Yard to help catch the ‘rogue’ mob.

The cast list involves some of the great names in British film. Peter Sellers is on top form, alternating between a high class French ‘haute couteur’ salesman and a Cockney gangster leader.

There is a marvellous scene with the aggrieved criminals of London holding a forum where they air their grievances in the manner of a democratic trades union meeting. “It’s simply unethical that this mob is acting in a very underhand manner are disrupting the orderly function of crime in London, Comrades I move to a vote that we act now to stamp out this undignified behaviour.”

The script is scintillating with no shortage of irony, sarcasm, humour and wit. It’s a real delight – I was laughing all the way through.

If you like this kind of comedy, you will also enjoy

The Lavender Hill Mob and The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp

Cast Include:
Peter Sellers (Pearly Gates);
Lionel Jeffries (Inspector Fred ‘Nosey’ Parker);
Bernard Cribbins (Nervous O’Toole);
Davy Kaye (Trainer King);
Nanette Newman (Valerie)
John Le Mesurier … Assistant Commissioner
Wrong Arm of The law

I wrote a review of ‘Hail the conquering hero’ and

The Great McGinty 

The films have great wit, marvelous dialogue and are quite refreshing to watch. Other good Preston & Sturgess films include Christmas in July, Palm Beach Story and Lady Eve.

Other good films I’ve watched lately:

• Anne of the Thousand Days – about Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII – exceptionally well acted and produced
• The Lavender Hill Mob – from the Great era of Ealing Studios