Unidos por la música

Oh how wonderful, a drama/comedy at its best. A country like France is truly a master at this. The actors are absolutely wonderful in their roles. The seriousness and humor are spot on. I really love that mix in a film. You are never disappointed. The film highlights many things that can be crucial in life. Without me revealing anything. After watching a film like this, you are filled with different emotions such as joy, hope and a little bit of sadness. Then the director has succeeded with his film in my opinion. The most important thing about film is that you are touched in one way or another. It is the experience and feelings you carry with you after you have seen a really good film. Watch the film and be touched in your own way.

I don't have an easy tear, but my eyes were shining as I left the hall.

Masterful performance by Benjamin Lavernhe. The story is very nice, light but not superficial, never dull.

Many melodies run through the film, the comedy, the drama, the 'protest' film (it reminded me of Kean Loach).

The red thread is music, in its purest manifestations from classical to jazz. The popular declination is very successful, making it a film for everyone. I will take my 9- and 12-year-old children to see it.

I think the only "flaw" in the film is the direction. Some parts of the film are not tied together well. But the rendering is still effective and, above all, emotionally impactful.

Director Emmanuel Courcol masterfully crafts a bittersweet comedy that flows effortlessly, much like the music at its core. The plot is simple: two brothers, separated at birth, reunite as adults. One is a celebrated orchestra conductor, while the other is a chef. For one, music represents a thriving career; for the other, it is a hard-earned passion, kept alive within a scrappy village band in northern France. Despite their contrasting lives, their shared love for music forges an unbreakable bond.

The music, with its universal language, unites and breaks down barriers between individuals. In the same vein, the film conveys a poignant message of empathy, solidarity, and brotherhood-a message that feels more vital than ever today.

"The Marching Band" (2024) is one of those rare films that stays with you long after the credits roll. Directed with incredible sensitivity and vision, it captures the raw emotions of its characters and presents a story that feels both deeply personal and universally relatable.

The performances are outstanding - every actor brings authenticity and depth to their role. The music, naturally central to the story, is woven in so seamlessly that it feels like a character of its own, carrying the audience through moments of joy, sorrow, and quiet reflection.

What moved me most was how the film portrayed resilience and human connection without ever feeling forced or overly sentimental. It's honest, heartfelt storytelling at its best.

Visually, the movie is stunning too - each frame feels carefully composed, almost poetic. The director's touch is gentle yet firm, allowing the story to unfold naturally while maintaining a clear artistic vision.

I wholeheartedly recommend "The Marching Band" to anyone who loves films that speak to the soul. It's a beautiful reminder of the power of art, music, and human perseverance.

I was moved by this film in many ways (even though I saw it dubbed over in German in a German cinema), but one quality stood out to me: the care that had been given to really portraying music in the making: The rehearsal scenes of both the orchestras seemed very real to me, no-one was mimicking to play an instrument, they could all really play and apparently seemed to do so. For real! This is quite exceptional, for it isn't easy to find people who can both act and play an instrument.

The composing scene, with the 'composer' working with pencil and paper on the piano, was the only scene that musically struck me as a bit unrealistic, for it would be hard to find a composer under 50 that doesn't use a computer to write the notes.

It was also really moving to see how even the most different styles in music can travel straight to the heart and have an important function in peoples lives.

For the rest I found the story moving, original and well performed.