Film No. 16. (2020) March 9th. 6:40 PM PALACE Paradiso Northbridge.
"If you think singing with a pole up your arse is what these women want, then you're more out of touch than I thought." (Lisa offers some advice to the more uptight Kate about her approach to their new pastime).
The promo suggested I'd be on my feet cheering and crying. I definitely wasn't doing either of those as the titles rolled for Military Wives but I admit to enjoying the flick in the same way I'd scoff a kebab, laced with garlic and mint sauce, late on a Saturday eve. Military Wives hits the spot.
More importantly the film stands as a monument to the women involved with serving soldiers world wide who found a way to pass the anxious days and months apart from their loved ones who are overseas at war. In 2010 a group of women at Catterick Army Base in North Yorkshire formed the first choir. From there, soon after, two bases in Devon created theirs. Now there are are 2,000 singers in 74 choirs in British bases worldwide.
Military Wives does not pretend to retell the Catterick story although you get the impression this is where it all began. Peter Cattaneo has created his best film since the Full Monty bonanza in the form of a dramedy using a hybrid of stories from choirs over the last ten years in the shell of the Catterick story. If you liked last year's Fisherman's Friends then you'll love Military Wives.
The talented Sharon Horgan (Catastrophe) steals the show as Lisa the base's new social organiser. Recently heartbroken, Kate (Kristin Scott Thomas), plays the antagonist who you know will soften as the "virus" of song takes hold. Gaby French as Jess has a couple of show stealing moments (the cave scene in particular) as "The Voice" of the troupe. In short, there's lots to like about Military Wives; even if you have seen this ilk of cinema before. 9GUMS.
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