The Chorus

PG-13

Released Jan 14, 2005

1h 37m

Drama

List

68%

Tomatometer

107 Reviews

92%

Audience Score

25,000+ Ratings

Pierre (Jean-Baptiste Maunier) is an aimless child at an austere boarding school in France. The students and faculty are constantly at odds with one another, until a music teacher, Clément Mathieu (Gérard Jugnot), arrives and starts a choir. Clément -- who has troubles of his own -- tries to change the reactionary policies of the school, choosing instead to encourage his students. His efforts have a particular impact on Pierre, who shows great musical promise.

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Critics Consensus

While predictable, this low-key heartwarmer manages to be uplifting without overdoing the sentiment.

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Empire Magazine

Rated: 3/5

Apr 1, 2006

Full Review

Marrit Ingman

Austin Chronicle

Rated: 2.5/5

Jun 4, 2005

Full Review

Roger Moore

Orlando Sentinel

It never aims higher than a sweet sort of middling. And it succeeds.

Rated: 3/5

Apr 29, 2005

Full Review

Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

It is a simple, familiar story brought to life uniquely and touchingly.

Rated: 3.5/4.0

Sep 5, 2020

Full Review

David Gurney

Common Sense Media

Boarding school antics and the power of music.

Rated: 3/5

Jan 1, 2011

Full Review

Doris Toumarkine

Film Journal International

So infused with nostalgia, optimism and authenticity, it will prove irresistible to the older art-house demographic.

Mar 1, 2007

Full Review

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LCM

One of my absolute favourites. This movie just hit me right in the feels. The kids are amazing. Shout out to Jean-Baptiste Maunier (the main kid) , he has a beautiful singing voice that truly gave me chills. A lovely movie that everyone should watch.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/02/23

Full Review

Flobine

Bon film avec une trame sonore correcte. J'ai aimé les jeunes: ils jouent bien et ils réussissent à nous tirer des émotions facilement. La sagesse et la gentillesse du professeur sont parties intégrantes de cette oeuvre touchante.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

10/22/23

Full Review

Alex R

Great positive story

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/09/23

Full Review

colin m

(In French, with subtitles.) A school evolves a choir.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

kason y

This movie is weirdly paced and nothing feels well earned. It just does anything it can to thicken the plot, mostly by using the most infuriating character ever.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

dave s

When teacher Clemente Mathieu arrives to accept a teaching position at a French boarding school for troubled boys, he is disturbed to discover it is ruled by draconian disciplinary doctrines. Setting out to change the culture, he soon finds that he is impacting on the lives of his charges, most notably singing prodigy Pierre. It is the sort of movie that you can't help but think you've seen countless times before, but The Chorus never slides into shameless sentimentality like many of its counterparts. Granted, it is very predictable and very talky, but the strong performances by the entire cast and an important message put it a notch above others of its kind.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

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Christophe Barratier

Director

Gérard Jugnot

Clément Mathieu

François Berléand

Rachin

Kad Merad

Chabert

Jacques Perrin

Pierre Morhange adulte

Jean-Baptiste Maunier

Pierre Morhange enfant

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Synopsis

Pierre (Jean-Baptiste Maunier) is an aimless child at an austere boarding school in France. The students and faculty are constantly at odds with one another, until a music teacher, Clément Mathieu (Gérard Jugnot), arrives and starts a choir. Clément -- who has troubles of his own -- tries to change the reactionary policies of the school, choosing instead to encourage his students. His efforts have a particular impact on Pierre, who shows great musical promise.

Director: Christophe Barratier
Screenwriter: Christophe Barratier
Distributor: Miramax Films
Production Co: Pathé Cinéma, France 2 Cinema
Rating: PG-13 (Some Language|Sex References|Violence)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: French (France)
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 14, 2005, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 8, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $3.6M
Runtime: 1h 37m