In her review of 2018’s “A Star Is Born,” NPR’s Linda Holmes wrote, “if you happen to have notes at the end of the film that remind you that you did, for all the analysis you may attempt later, have goosebumps up your forearms, it would be wrong to pretend you didn’t.” For all intents and purposes, that is my take on the delightful, albeit paint-by-numbers, musical dramedy “Military Wives.”
From screenwriters Rachel Tunnard (“Adult Life Skills”) and Rosanne Flynn (“The Labyrinth”) and director Peter Cattaneo (“The Full Monty”), “Military Wives” is inspired by an actual group of women who formed an on-base choir while their partners were deployed. That provides the backbone of the story, but most of the film’s charms, and drama, come courtesy of the ladies’ personal lives. Some of them, like uptight de facto leader Kate (Kristin Scott Thomas), have been through several deployments and have an idea of how to get through them with their sanity intact. Others, such as the newlywed Sarah (Amy James-Kelly), are experiencing this for the first time and are wracked with dread and anxiety. Nearly all of them are dealing with other issues, too — Lisa (Sharon Horgan), for example, is contending with a rebellious teen daughter on top of missing and worrying about her husband.
While Scott Thomas and Horgan anchor the film, “Military Wives” is a true ensemble, and everyone in the cast has a moment to shine. You can feel the camaraderie — not only among the characters, but between the actresses as well. And the music, especially the quintessential climactic performance toward the end, is joyful and moving.
“Military Wives” doesn’t pull any punches. Kate clashes with the more laid-back Lisa; there’s both a boisterous choir member who can’t carry a tune as well as a shy participant who brings the house down; there’s an event the women must literally get their act together for. “Military Wives” checks all of the boxes you’ve come to expect from this kind of movie. You pretty much know what you’re in for when you see this film, but trust me: what you’re in for is a really fun time.
“Military Wives” is now available on VOD and Hulu.
