Review of The Choral at the 2025 BFI London Film Festival

      The Choral, 2025.

      Directed by Nicholas Hytner.

      Featuring Ralph Fiennes, Roger Allam, Amara Okereke, Simon Russell Beale, and Thomas Howes.

      SYNOPSIS:

      As the male members of a choral society enlist in World War I, the demanding Dr. Guthrie turns to teenagers to fill the void. Together, they experience the joy of music while the young boys confront their looming conscription into the military.

      The Choral marks director Nicholas Hytner’s fourth film collaboration with renowned playwright and screenwriter Alan Bennett, following adaptations of The Madness of King George, The History Boys, and The Lady in the Van, all derived from Bennett’s stage plays. This latest project, however, is an entirely original screenplay, making it Bennett’s first foray into original screenwriting in decades.

      Set against the backdrop of World War I, the film focuses on a struggling choral society in a small Yorkshire village that finds itself lacking male voices due to many locals being called to fight. Ralph Fiennes portrays Dr. Guthrie, a skilled choirmaster tasked with assisting the remaining members and some unlikely new recruits in preparing for their annual performance.

      At first glance, The Choral presents itself as a quintessential British comfort film, perfect for an afternoon with family over tea, celebrating themes of courage, resilience, and community amidst a time of sorrow and anxiety.

      For the most part, that’s exactly what it is, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Films like this often face a level of elitism, yet they fulfill a valuable purpose, offering a necessary escape of positivity and joy in a world that can seem increasingly bleak.

      However, there's more depth to The Choral than it initially reveals. Its most impactful moments stem from quieter reflections, whether it’s injured soldier Clyde returning home to discover his girlfriend Bella has moved on, choir pianist Horner facing scrutiny for attempting to become a conscientious objector, or Guthrie receiving news of his German lover’s death just as the choir celebrates the sinking of the ship he was stationed on.

      Guthrie is a divisive figure in the village, an atheist who has spent time in Germany with some of Europe’s top musicians, showcasing a borderless love for the arts. He shows little interest in overt patriotism, humorously illustrated by his eye-roll response to the choir singing the national anthem, with his homosexuality also heavily suggested. Despite the film's strong British identity, it approaches Guthrie's perspectives with understanding and compassion, portraying a nuanced viewpoint of the conflict, even among residents of the same small English village.

      This film focuses not on the war itself, but on those back home — the ones left behind, striving for normalcy while trying to ignore their fears. Teenage boys Lofty and Ellis are particularly compelling as they navigate life, waiting to reach the age where they too will be sent to the front lines. They provide plenty of charming moments, especially when young Lofty loses his virginity the night before leaving home, in a scene that balances humor and poignancy.

      With its relatively simple visual style and an unremarkable score from George Fenton, The Choral may not be the most visually striking of films. The ensemble cast carries much of the film’s weight, featuring a blend of talented newcomers (notably Jacob Dudman as Clyde) and seasoned actors (Roger Allam, Mark Addy, and Alun Armstrong are well within their element here). While Guthrie may not be the most demanding role for Fiennes, his understated portrayal complements the character excellently, contributing a dose of realism amid a cast of colorful characters.

      The Choral may not be groundbreaking; it may not elicit the tears it aims for or deliver the triumphant final performance it strives toward, but it remains a touching, hopeful, and at times genuinely funny film about the significance of community, kindness, and the power of art itself.

      Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★ ★

      Dan Barnes