The Chorus (Les Choristes)

NOT AVAILABLE ANYMORE TO STREAM ON NETFLIX. NOW AVAILABLE ON NETFLIX DVD. The Chorus (Les Choristes) had quite the feverish success in its hey day of 2004, not unlike what the blockbuster Titanic experienced in 1997 over here in the states. France appreciated the unlikely story of adversity, salvation and innocence.  

Gérard Jugnot shines as Clément Mathieu, the bumbling new professor at a boarding school for boys that feels a lot like a correctional facility. The boys are unmanageable and rebellious, and Clement has a gift that has gone on neglected.  

A gift neglected… until now. Professor Mathieu has a passion for writing and arranging choral music. As he begins to share his passion with the class, his hopeless students become focused, full of purpose, and dare I say, excited. 

It's almost unfair to place Mathieu next to the rigid and draconian school superintendent Rachin (François Berléand). Rachin is narcissistic and cruel, but Berléand does a wonderful job in producing the colorful and weaselly villain you love to hate.

Another bright and flashy character happens to be the music itself. The compositions come to life through the voice of a young male version of Charlotte Church, Pierre Morhange (Jean-Baptiste Maunier). Not only does his angelic falsetto carry the tone throughout the soundtrack, but you can enjoy researching his Justin Bieber-like success following the film, just as we did here right at Netflix. 

This is a perfect choice of a film for any mood you're in this weekend. It's bound to delight you at times, the pace keeps you satisfied, and you will surely wish all of these troubled young men the very best throughout, just like Clement did when he took on "Les Choristes." 

Nicole Eicholtz

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