Boychoir 2014

Lou Lumenick, New York Post: An imperious choirmaster (Dustin Hoffman) reluctantly takes a troubled 11-year-old (Garrett Wareing) with the voice of an angel under his wing in this delightful musical drama. Read more

Peter Debruge, Variety: Dustin Hoffman coaches a group of angel-voiced young men in this feel-good, yet far-from-treacly family drama. Read more

Deborah Young, Hollywood Reporter: Requires such large amounts of suspended disbelief that one wonders if the film is principally aimed at children. Read more

Martin Tsai, Los Angeles Times: If it sounds like a Hallmark movie, that's because it is. Read more

Neil Genzlinger, New York Times: There's nothing wrong with being uplifting, but something less predictable would have been refreshing. Read more

Brad Wheeler, Globe and Mail: I almost half-enjoyed the routine drama Boychoir. But then the closing credits rolled, and so did my eyes. Read more

Linda Barnard, Toronto Star: Two things elevate screenwriter Ben Ripley's otherwise average drama: the stunning choral music ... and Hoffman's wisely underplayed, brooding take on the choirmaster, Carvelle. Read more

Tom Huddleston, Time Out: You'll be screeching louder than the kids before the curtain falls. Read more

Jim Slotek, Toronto Sun: As it is, Boychoir is a pleasant experience, beautiful to listen to and easy to forget. Read more

Zachary Wigon, Village Voice: Hoffman, naturally, makes his character interesting in the way that genius actors always do. Yet the film's storytelling struggles to match his level of skill. Read more