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The Marching Band

Play trailer Poster for The Marching Band 2024 1h 43m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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95% Tomatometer 20 Reviews Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
Thibaut is an internationally renowned conductor who travels the world. When he learns he was adopted, he discovers the existence of a younger brother, Jimmy, who works in a school cafeteria and plays the trombone in a small marching band. Everything seems to set them apart, except their love of music. Sensing his brother's exceptional talent, Thibaut decides to remedy the injustice of fate. Jimmy begins to dream of a different life....

Critics Reviews

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Wendy Ide Observer (UK) Oct 8
The predictable elements are mitigated by lived-in performances from an engaging cast of French character actors, and a closing sequence so shamelessly and cheerfully manipulative that any resistance is entirely useless. Go to Full Review
Mark Kermode Kermode and Mayo's Take (YouTube) May 22
It's very amiable fare, or fanfare... in a way, that joke is on par with the tone of the film. Go to Full Review
Linda Marric The Sun (UK) May 16
4/5
This film may not surprise, but it’s a sincere and uplifting tale that is in tune with the spirit of underdog crowd-pleasers Brassed Off and The Full Monty. Go to Full Review
Leandro Ariel Porcelli Cinéfilo Serial Aug 14
6/10
Good performances compensate a script uninterested in going beyond simplicity. One of those light experiences that we should all enjoy once in a way, with a healthy dose of tears, laughter and the societal power of music. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review
Filipe Freitas Always Good Movies May 25
2.5/5
The plight of the mining community and its marching band, along with the romance between Jimmy and fellow band member Sabrina (Sarah Suco), feels underdeveloped—more like narrative filler than fully fleshed-out subplots. Go to Full Review
Tom Dawson Radio Times May 23
3/5
Writer/director Emmanuel Courcol effectively uses his diverse soundtrack to stir our emotions, and elicits engaging performances from the two leads. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Evan C Nov 24 Emmanuel Courcol's #TheMarchingBand finds its resonance in the dynamic of its leads & the focus on its music. But the small town drama & its quirky inhabitants can feel a bit one-note. That said, the emotional crescendo at the end is well-earned & moving, and well worth a watch. See more Rodrick S. @Rodrigo Jul 22 It’s an excellent film… A very moving story with a deep human connection between to brothers that reunite. The music is beautiful See more Karen-Suzanne C May 12 The central theme of MUSIC knitted the story together beautifully, and made up for any other mild lacking, plus the authentic characters giving it a fresh raw edge of love, friendship, and family. A confirmation that music has a force and language of its own, that bridges cultural and social differences. Entertaining and moving. See more Diego R Apr 10 Me encantó, una maravillosa historia que toca temas como la vida, la hermandad, la identidad y la familia, principalmente; asi mismo la película toca el tema social con el pueblo y la fábrica, y muestra cómo la música puede trascender fronteras de clases sociales e incluso ser un instrumento de transformación. El final aunque en cierto punto pareciera previsible me sorprendió gratamente, no es el más alentador, ese detalle me parece que le da cierto nivel de realismo que me gustó muchísimo, logrando ser bastante conmovedor y emotivo. Tiene personajes entrañables, y en particular sus protagonistas no los sentí planos, muy buenas actuaciones. El guión, a mi parecer, maneja muy bien las dosis de comedia y drama, y hace un uso de la música que me gustó mucho. Super recomendable. See more Mary Ann N Mar 30 An absolute gem of a film. Thought-provoking as to the meaning of family. Beautifully acted, with an ending that will leave you in tears. See more Arianna B @Aryhann79 Mar 11 The red thread of the movie is music. Music as in all sort of forms, from a band, to classical, jazz and even some pop. Music move the hearts and generate feelings and at the same time, also this movie succeeds with that with a beautiful, heartwarming and funny diving into the struggles of two brothers that didn't know about each other's existence and that will have to fight about the injustice of having been living separated and with different upbringing, bringing them to develop in quite different directions, but still having music as the core ground. It is an emotional story and the actors, especially Benjamin Lavernhe are bringing a complete set of feelings and emotions through their great acting. It doesn't get trivial, neither superficial. The emotions are real, not dull. Watch it if you want to feel passion for music and life. See more Read all reviews
The Marching Band

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Movie Info

Synopsis Thibaut is an internationally renowned conductor who travels the world. When he learns he was adopted, he discovers the existence of a younger brother, Jimmy, who works in a school cafeteria and plays the trombone in a small marching band. Everything seems to set them apart, except their love of music. Sensing his brother's exceptional talent, Thibaut decides to remedy the injustice of fate. Jimmy begins to dream of a different life....
Director
Emmanuel Courcol
Producer
Marc Bordure, Robert Guédiguian
Screenwriter
Emmanuel Courcol, Irène Muscari
Production Co
Agat Films
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
French
Runtime
1h 43m