The Marching Band or En Fanfare as it is in French, is about two brothers. Only they don't know they are until Thibaut (Benjamin Lavernhe), an acclaimed classical conductor, finds he needs a bone marrow transplant to save his life. He discovers that he has a brother (they were both separately adopted) Jimmy (Pierre Lottin) a cook in a school canteen, whose initial reaction is not positive to say the least. But obviously things improve between them. Jimmy plays trombone in the works band (that was the only instrument left) and he has some equal qualities in ability as his brother.
In the early part of the film with Thibaut conducting, some of the classical pieces were outstanding. On the big cinema speakers, the quality was fabulous. The contrast between the orchestra and the band was cleverly depicted. But the best part for me was when they both sit down together at the piano and end up playing some great boogie woogie. The second half is not quite so good as their relationship goes downhill and tensions start to boil over. And the music takes a back seat. The ending could have been better although I may be in the minority.
Director and co-writer Emmanuel Courcol has made a thoroughly enjoyable piece of escapism that critic Mark Kermode said was "nice, enjoyable and well played". Peter Bradshaw called it "a good natured heart warmer". I'm glad that we have the Rex cinema not far away to see these good foreign movies.
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