Miltary Wives is a movie I don’t regret watching. Set in England and directed by Peter Cattaneo of The Full Monty (1997, it’s a story about the relationships between a group of women who form a choir to lift their spirits while their partners are away serving in Afghanistan.

Starring Kristin Scott Thomas (Kate) and Sharon Horgan (Lisa), I wanted to see Military Wives for a better understanding of what life can be like for the wives. Also, both Thomas and Horgan are great dramatic and comedy acting talents. Talents whose skills really shone through during the funny and the tension filled moments between Kate and Lisa.

Another reason I was drawn to Military Wives is the music I heard in the trailer. Particularly Cindi Lauper’s brilliant Time After time. A song I definitely selfishly wanted performed in its entirety at least once in Cattaneo’s film. We do get to hear Lauper’s song sung by the choir, just unfortunately for me, not fully – let alone more than once.

As for what I liked a little less about Cattaneo’s film, I did notice a few moments in the first half when some of the comedy quips by a couple of the wives (not Thomas or Horgan) felt a little wooden and not particularly well timed. The other downside is that there isn’t much that’s particularly new about Military Wives. I didn’t learn much Iabout the military wife experience that I wasn’t already aware of. Plus, the plot is quite reminiscent of 2003’s Calendar Girls. Both movies are funny and feature women working through their differences so they can deliver something for the greater good.

The best moments for me, besides the humour and the music is whenever the camera was on the two leading ladies. I enjoyed watching women taking care of each other. All the singing, especially when the choir’s skills had improved even had me contemplating joining a singing group. I didn’t because I’m busy but the idea was nice for a while.

Also, if it helps, the most heavily featured song in Military Wives, the one performed at the Festival of Remembrance at the end is written by hit making song writing duo Robbie Williams and Guy Chambers.

Happy Film Loving

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