This is exactly what you think it's going to be.

It's a cutesy comedy with a poignant core. A story of people with a problem in common coming together through music.

That is basically it.

It has that well timed giggle comedy that your friend loves to point out as it's happening and you always know when you're supposed to feel moved because the string section tells you.

It is agreeable to watch two strong willed people try to make a viable choir from amateurs and the techniques of the by-the-book choir mistress contrast with the free wheeling methods of the other one.

It's funny to watch them manufacture conflict toward the end so we can have a climax of sorts but no one can say a professional job wasn't done here.

My dad picked this out for us to watch with my Mother in mind because she is the limiting factor for our movie nights. Was laughing and wiping her eyes so this defo ticks the box for your more...traditional family members and I can't say I disliked it either.

Having said that: there were a few things about this movie I thought were perverse. I don't mind the flag waving because they did it gently but is it really true that the army spouses get responsibilities according to who they're married to? Kind of nepotistic. And until right before the end it seems to give the impression that there are no chicks in the army. Why is it so male dominated? I guess that's the heteropatriachy thing...

Also: everyone has the luxury of being against any war.

Based on a true story. Director Peter Cattaneo returns to his The Full Monty roots about a group of army wives who form a choir while their partners are away fighting in Afghanistan.

Kate (Kristin Scott Thomas) wants the wives to do something challenging. She bounces ideas with Lisa (Sharon Horgan) who organises social activities for the military wives.

They have the proposal of a choir but the wives are sceptical at first. They are more of the karaoke type.

Kate is aloof and icy Kate. Her son was in the forces and died in battle. Later her husband is injured.

Lisa is more laid back and easygoing. As you can imagine the two women clash on just about everything and Lisa has to put up with Kate's snide put downs.

However the woman gel with their singing and are invited to perform at the Royal Albert Hall for the Festival of Remembrance. This causes more tensions as they now have to sing to a public audience.

Military Wives has the curse of a true event being turned into a movie. It is very formulaic and uninspiring. It really does rely on the songs to give it some feeling because the written characters are too shallow.