The Choral review
By Joel Humphries · Watched 01.20.26
★★★ 3 / 5
Spoiler-free review
The Choral is pleasant diversion undermined by the sense that Ralph Fiennes is merely passing through a role that never demands his full ability. Jacob Dudman and Amara Okereke provide the real reason to listen: both can genuinely sing, and Dudman gives the story’s returning soldier enough emotional weight to survive several astonishingly uncomfortable conversations. Coming immediately after seeing Fiennes command Bone Temple, his disengagement here feels especially wasteful. Three stars, largely for the younger performers whose voices and commitment keep the production alive.
Full review — contains spoilers
This was diverting, and that’s about it. Ralph Fiennes is basically going through the motions, which feels like a real waste of his talent. It’s even more noticeable when you’ve just seen Bone Temple a couple days earlier where he's a freakin' rockstar.
Jacob Dudman here though, can actually sing. Credit where it’s due. Also his character comes back from the war missing an arm and finding his girl moved on to another man thinking him dead, and somehow <i>that</i> reunion was not the most uncomfortable conversation he has with his ex in this movie.
I’ll give it three stars, mostly for Dudman and Amara Okereke who can also really sing.