THE CHORAL (NETFLIX) (2025)

SYNOPSIS: 1916. As war rages on the Western Front, the Choral Society in Ramsden, Yorkshire has lost most of its men to the army. The Choral’s ambitious committee, determined to press ahead, decides to recruit local young males to swell their ranks. They must also engage a new chorus master, and despite their suspicions that he has something to hide, their best bet seems to be Dr. Henry Guthrie (Ralph Fiennes) – driven, uncompromising, and recently returned from a career in Germany. As conscription papers start to arrive, the whole community discovers that the best response to the chaos that is laying waste to their lives is to make music together.

MOVIE REVIEW:

Set against the backdrop of WWI, The Choral tells the story of a choir that enlists the help of townspeople for a performance of English composer Edward Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius.

Numerous problems arise. First is the recruitment of Dr Henry Guthrie (Ralph Fiennes), a closeted homosexual and noted Germanophile, to replace the choirmaster who has opted to join the army. Second is the lack of male singers, forcing Guthrie to recruit from the local pub. Then there is the conscription of Guthrie’s pianist, Robert (Robert Emms), as well as the issue of the choir’s chairman, Duxbury (Roger Allam), who is deemed unsuitable to play the lead.

Director Nicholas Hytner and his screenwriting partner Alan Bennett keep things moving, ensuring the story has enough plot to carry it to the climactic performance. Unfortunately, not all the characters and subplots are given a satisfying telling or resolution. Guthrie, although positioned as the main lead with a colourful past and present, fails to stand out. Even with Fiennes’ flawless acting (but of course), the character gets lost as Hytner and Bennett juggle too many themes and stories.

There is a subplot about three young men who are about to be recruited into the war. They are curious, worried and, most of all, desperate to lose their virginities. One is in love with Salvation Army member Mary Lockwood (Amara Okereke), while another is smitten with the town’s sex worker, Mrs Bishop (Lyndsey Marshal). It’s a meaningful subplot, especially in a time where things are bleak, faith is questionable and the future is unknown.

Besides that, there is the obligatory story of a young soldier, Clyde (Jacob Dudman), who returns home having lost a limb, only to find his girlfriend with a new boyfriend. It’s the kind of misfortune we’ve seen before. The Choral is filled with such old-fashioned messages and stories from the townsfolk, which often distract from the main musical thread.

However, even with all the familiarities, it remains a joyous and moving viewing experience. As with any British period piece, the cinematography and production design are a delight to behold. There’s plenty of singing (as expected), plenty of humanity, and a poignant look at the consequences of war.

It’s a low-key historical drama with its only pity being that we don’t get to see more of Fiennes.

MOVIE RATING:

Review by Linus Tee