Movie Boychoir with Dustin Hoffman is tear-jerkin’ telemovie stuff we have seen before

REVIEW: Dustin Hoffman is used a mite too selectively in Boychoir,which istear-jerkin’ telemovie stuff we have all seen many, many times before.

Boychoir (M)

Director: François Girard (Silk)

Starring: Dustin Hoffman, Kevin McHale, Garrett Wareing, Eddie Izzard, Kathy Bates, Josh Lucas.

Rating: **1/2

Many high notes, but the song remains the same

Veteran actor Dustin Hoffman just doesn’t get out of his easy chair for any old job these days.

In fact, aside from an all-too-brief showing as a gruff restaurant owner in Chef last year, Hoffman hasn’t been busy in a movie since the underrated Barney’s Version in 2010.

So it is his venerable presence that immediately diverts this syrupy triumph-over-adversity affair away from the too-sweet-to-stomach zone.

Hoffman plays Mr Carvelle, the head of an exclusive music academy for boy sopranos who isn’t convinced the newest student on his books has what it takes.

Eleven-year-old Texan poor boy Stet (newcomer Garrett Wareing) isn’t so sure either. But then again, who can blame him? His alcoholic mum has just died, and his dad barely acknowledges his existence.

Recognises boy’s rare vocal talent ... Dustin Hoffman, as Master Carvelle with Garrett Wareing as the boy Stet in movie Boychoir. Picture: Myles Aronowitz

Stet has gained admittance to the academy in circumstances Carvelle deems to be an insult to not only his own reputation, but that of the prestigious institution he controls.

The political powerplays happening behind the scenes at the school become a crucial subplot for Boychoir. Carvelle, a necessarily remote and abrasive figure, could be on the way out.

And wouldn’t you just know it? Stet reveals a rare vocal talent that could provide Carvelle with a way back in.

It could be argued that for an actor of his stature, Hoffman is used a mite too selectively in Boychoir. Often, the dramatic weight of the film is shifted onto the slender shoulders of young Wareing, who is not always up to such an imposing task.

Plenty of musical interludes ... Garrett Wareing stars as Stet in film Boychoir. Picture: Myles Aronowitz

The plentiful musical interludes on offer throughout Boychoir are indeed quite lovely, and a fine support cast including Kathy Bates, Eddie Izzard and Josh Lucas do what they can with the limited scope of the material at hand.

Nevertheless, this is tear-jerkin’ telemovie stuff we have all seen many, many times before.

Originally published as Movie Boychoir with Dustin Hoffman is tear-jerkin’ telemovie stuff we have seen before