The World of Modern Cinema of France: Les Choristes

©2004 Miramax Films

This film is a very special one for me, since it one of the films that made me interested in film music and in French films. The heavenly sounds from the choir and the memorable main character Clément Mathieu will always stay in my heart.

This film is a loose remake of 1945 film A Cage of Nightingales (La Cage aux Rossignols), yet the ending for this film is more open for the audience's interpretation rather than the happy finale in the 1945 film. The story is as follows:

©2004 Miramax Films

In France 1949, a "failed musician", Clément Mathieu, arrives in a boarding school for the "difficult" boys, which is called Fond de l'Etang (Bottom of the Swamp). At the gate he finds a young boy, Pépinot, who is waiting for Saturday to come. Pépinot had been told that his parents were killed in World War II; however, he strangely always believes that his father would return to fetch him on a Saturday.

Mathieu soon realizes that the boys are punished cruelly by the ruthless headmaster Rachin. Mathieu at first tries to use humour and kindness to win the children over. For instance, when a booby trap set by a boy greatly injures the school's elderly caretaker, Mathieu keeps the boy's identity from the headmaster, while encouraging the boy to nurse the caretaker during his recovery.

Powerful people are portrayed persuasively despite their hollow personality. ©2004 Miramax Films

One day, Mathieu finds the boys singing mischievous songs about him behind his back. This inspires him to compose his music, teach them to sing, and form a choir. The scene where he groups the boys into soprano, alto etc., is very humourous.

Only one student, Morhange, refuses to sing; however, Mathieu later discovers that Morhange possesses a beautiful singing voice, after catching him singing to himself alone in an empty classroom. Mathieu grants him the solo part, but Morhange must behave.

If this film was produced in Hollywood, it would have gone far enough to have the cliché of our main characters attending a national competition. Or, the film would have depicted our main character Mathieu becoming both a confident man and a famous as he wanted, but that's not what we are led to.

©2004 Miramax Films

Of course, the most important and the most impressive element is the music. The production team wisely chose to cast an actual choir from various parts of France, and all of the boys seen singing in the choir during the film ARE real members of the choir with no acting experience. For promotion of the film, the choir from the film was frequently seen in French television.

On a side note, the composer of this film, Bruno Coulais, later scored the fascinating and haunting music of Coraline. If you haven't heard of the soundtrack of Coraline, check it out, since it has nostalgic yet magical theme to it.

©2004 Miramax Films

As a film devoted to the spirit of music, the score and the songs are simply marvelous. It is interesting that the hit of this film led to the revivial of musical groups and school choirs in French schools after being largely unused.

What I liked most from the film along with the music is that every single character has his own story. No one is left behind during this film, and everyone is carefully featured with the absence of stereotypes. For instance, a cruel boy Mondain comes to this school, and starts to rebel, such as smoking, bullying, and extorting money; however, he is portrayed in a very haunting way, and we are nervous, wondering what this "devil" will do next.

©2004 Miramax Films

Clement finds Mondain as the only Bariton in his chorus and tries to look him in optimistic view. Mondain's presence emphasizes the kindness of Clément Mathieu.

Nevertheless, it is very surprising that the main character is not a perfect person. He is at first somewhat even unlikable by being so timid. He seems to retain his low self-esteem even by the end of the film. He sometimes cannot control his anger, and he can be very mean and strong when he truly wants, which makes his personality very persuasive and realistic.

©2004 Miramax Films

For instance, after seeing Clément Mathieu flirting with his mother, Morhange drops a bottle of ink on Mathieu's head. This is the conversation between Morhange and Mathieu next day:

During practice, the choir skips Morhange's part and goes on.

Pierre Morhange: What about the solo?

Clément Mathieu: Which solo?

Pierre Morhange: My solo.

Clément Mathieu: Oh. Your solo. No, there's no solo. You don't have a bad voice but no-one's indispensible.

My, that left a large impact on my impression of the character! However, he is not a stereotypical hard person who goes through a change of heart by children. From the early part of the film, he already is a kind person; he tries to keep his berating to children to a minimum, and even hides his pupils' mischief from the headmaster. Thus we see both the dark and bright side of Clément Mathieu.

©2004 Miramax Films

There's also a very powerful scene with Morhange. After Mondain beats him and insult his mother, Morhange secretly goes to a restaurant where his mother works, and he watches her. When his mother pays a visit to him later, he says and does nothing. It's very unfortunate to see that the mother can neither see her son's love nor the interest of Clément Mathieu.

Here is the recurring theme of the film, La Nuit. If you are very enthusiastic about music, I can't recommend this film enough to you.

P.S. It's very funny that Gérard Jugnot, who played our main character, makes a cameo appearance in Le Petit Nicholas as a music teacher, and even he fails to make harmony from Nicholas's gang.

P.P.S. My favourite quote:
Headmater Rachin: Go to the devil
Clément Mathieu: I am leaving him behind.