There are many films about Bad Education in boarding schools. There has to be an evil headmaster and a good-hearted. There are also many films about the transforming power of art, especially music. This music combines both aspects.
Monsieur Mathieu is a failed musician. Being teacher in that institution is the best he can get. However, Monsieur is a great person and an even greater pedagogue. While the headmaster of that school tries to keep them down, he sees the potential in them. He transforms them with music. And one of them even becomes a famous conductor. At last music seemingly even transforms the stone heart of the headmaster, but only seemingly, as the facade and reputation is the most important thing in life for that Monsieur. But the experience of Monsieur Mathieu still has grown some good seeds, as the evil practices of the school are uncovered later and the children testify against the seemingly benevolent pedagogue.
Most of this is told in a flashback. And here is a bit the problem of the film. We know from the beginning that we are going to hear a sun-ray history, that a feel good movie is about to start, as everything that follows is a giant flashback.
The last scene of that flasback also is problematic. Monsieur Mathieu after being fired takes a boy with him. Who would believe that he can get away with that? How could Monsieur Mathieu take care of that boy? And why has that boy the diary of Monsieur Mathieu? We are not told, so the instructor must have thought that it's not our business. So we might fill this giant hole with our own imagnation.
Les Choristes is about a brutal experience without ever becoming rough. The feel-good atmosphere rules. Of course you can paint also this kind of story with pastel colors, thusn gliding over possible scars and marks that this kind of education might have left in the boys. This is poeticising the past, so let it be.
6/10
Monsieur Mathieu is a failed musician. Being teacher in that institution is the best he can get. However, Monsieur is a great person and an even greater pedagogue. While the headmaster of that school tries to keep them down, he sees the potential in them. He transforms them with music. And one of them even becomes a famous conductor. At last music seemingly even transforms the stone heart of the headmaster, but only seemingly, as the facade and reputation is the most important thing in life for that Monsieur. But the experience of Monsieur Mathieu still has grown some good seeds, as the evil practices of the school are uncovered later and the children testify against the seemingly benevolent pedagogue.
Most of this is told in a flashback. And here is a bit the problem of the film. We know from the beginning that we are going to hear a sun-ray history, that a feel good movie is about to start, as everything that follows is a giant flashback.
The last scene of that flasback also is problematic. Monsieur Mathieu after being fired takes a boy with him. Who would believe that he can get away with that? How could Monsieur Mathieu take care of that boy? And why has that boy the diary of Monsieur Mathieu? We are not told, so the instructor must have thought that it's not our business. So we might fill this giant hole with our own imagnation.
Les Choristes is about a brutal experience without ever becoming rough. The feel-good atmosphere rules. Of course you can paint also this kind of story with pastel colors, thusn gliding over possible scars and marks that this kind of education might have left in the boys. This is poeticising the past, so let it be.
6/10
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| Not as idyllic as it seems, the chorus in this house of correction: At the Bottom of the Lake! |
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