Military Wives

Starring: Kristin Scott Thomas, Sharon Horgan, Jason Flemyng

Director: Peter Cattaneo

Inspired by true events, we follow the wives of the soldiers stationed at Flitcroft Garrison. Lisa (Sharon Horgan) has taken the lead on planning activities for the wives to do while their significant others are serving in Afghanistan. Enter, the detail oriented Colonel's wife Kate (Kristin Scott Thomas), who is looking to help after her husband leaves for his fifth tour. Lisa is content with planning events that end up being excuses for the wives to drink and carry on while Kate wants to do something official and proper like dinners together once a month. Eventually they settle on forming a choir, which causes the women to butt heads more on what direction to take the group. While out hiking on a rainy day, the group stops under a tunnel and realize they have some talented voices among them and that the choir really is a good outlet for the women. While they only plan to sing locally, a higher up overhears them practicing and invites them to perform at the Festival of Remembrance. With the date of the ceremony rapidly approaching, will Lisa and Kate being able to put aside their differing philosophies to help the ladies be ready in time?

The above description comes off as a little bit catty but the movie itself is quite charming. It takes a simple and uncomplicated premise with no real villains and runs with it, becoming quite the crowdpleaser. No one opposes the ladies and the choir and there are no competition based stakes. While the film was intended for a theatrical release, I think the way it's currently being released on VOD and Hulu can help it find more of an audience.

Nothing the film does reinvents the wheel but that's ok. All the expected beats are hit (their first public appearance is a disaster, a husband dies, the two leads fight then make up) but they are done with such honesty and emotion you don't really notice.

The majority of the cast in unknown outside of the leads, but both Kristen Scott Thomas and Sharon Horgan are fantastic. Both actresses bring a lot of depth to their characters and when they do butt heads it doesn't feel forced. Horgan in particular impresses in the dramatic scenes because she comes from more of a comedic background (Outside of Jesse Plemons, she might be the MVP of the hilarious Game Night).

I smiled a lot during the film and heck, may have shed a tear or two by the end. It's an uncomplicated and uplifting story that we all kinda need now.

Grade: B

Military Wives is available on Hulu and VOD