★★★★
With their partners away serving in Afghanistan, a group of women on the home front form a choir and quickly find themselves at the center of a media sensation and global movement.
Classification: 12A
Look any film that has the good sense to name drop one of the greatest cinematic heroes of all time, Mr Rocky Balboa, in a third act motivational speech to inspire a group of apprehensive women to sing their hearts out is a class act in my book. Military Wives follows the classic British feel-good film conventions to the letter as director Peter Cattaneo who basically perfected the sub-genre with his 1997 masterpiece The Full Monty does heartwarming justice to the real-life impact of military wives choirs on their communities. An amusing and slightly off-key ensemble is led graciously by the performances of Kristen Scott Thomas and Sharon Horgan with their clashing personalities providing comedy and effecting emotional drama against serious themes. Military Wives is that schmaltzy, emotional "fluff piece" that ticks all the predictable boxes but does so with charm and celebration just like 2019's Fisherman's Friends providing plenty of uplifting moments for all audiences.
It's an underdog story through and through, exploring the effect of war on the homefront, that subconscious fear and trauma of loved ones putting their lives on the line as one character puts it how every phone call and doorbell instils dread. Cattaneo and screenwriters Rachel Tunnard and Rosanne Flynn put a positive spin on it though, the choir being that necessary escape from that depressing reality, having love and friendship triumph over dismay. It's all very sentimental and twee but by God am I sucker for films but Cattaneo doesn't let the film drown in any corny melodrama. Kristen Scott Thomas's Kate, wife of the Colonel and having lost her only son to the war in Afghanistan is looking for an outlet, having a tragic understanding of the pain that could be awaiting any of the wives during their partner's current tour. Kate is seen as uptight, old fashioned and out of touch with the rest of the wives whereas Sharon Horgan's Lisa is more down to earth, and less serious about her responsibilities for organising social activities for everyone. It's a classic odd-couple dynamic with Kate wanting the choir to be more traditional and Lisa wanting it to be more laid back and amusing, basically technique versus enjoyment.
The script provides plenty of charming comedy moments for all the ladies with the various levels of singing talent, crooning pop songs and the like. It starts out rough, with the ladies having to find their groove essentially becoming good enough to be selected to sing at the televised Festival of Remembrance with the ticking clock of their public debut beginning to eat away at their confidence. Both the comedy and drama do little to shake up the formula as Military Wives is another tried and true example of British underdog films but its the sincerity in the performances that make the expected beats hit a little harder. With the plot concerning spouses of soldiers, it's obvious that death will play a part in the story and its the power of Scott's performance alongside the companionship of all the women that never make that depiction grief feel exploitative for dramatic effect. Scott Thomas and Horgan's expressive quarrels carrying surprising weight as the third act really delivers some heartwrenching catharsis for its main characters. It still all ends up with laughter and singing but Cattaneo gives a strong emotional grounding so the uplifting transformative power of the choir isn't just for show.
The film is not an endorsement of the armed forces nor the conflicts they find themselves fighting in, but an empowering tribute to the reality of those left behind. Humourous, inclusive and joyous with its classic charisma and humble glamour, Military Wives is a film you can rely on to bring smiles and tears to its audience. Britain has always taken great pride in supporting its veterans and their sacrifices with Cattaneo's film an example of why that loyalty extends through love and family.
Director: #PeterCattaneo
Screenwriter: #RachelTunnard and #RosanneFlynn
Cast: #KristinScottThomas, #SharonHorgan, #JasonFlemyng, #GregWise, #EmmaLowndes, #LaraRossi, #AmyJamesKelly
Release Date: March 6th 2020
Trailer:
Written review copyright ©CoreyBullochReviews
Images and Synopsis from the Internet Movie Database
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