Matrixston Wow! Such a good movie.

Ehirerapp Waste of time

Moustroll Good movie but grossly overrated

ShangLuda Admirable film.

TxMike First a word about the school. MLC school in Sydney, Australia was established in 1886 and educates girls pre-K through Year 12. On several occasions the teachers are stating to the students something about their privilege, and when you look at the fee structure for 2014 you get a hint why. It varies a bit by grade but for teens it is in the order of $26,000 a year. For those who think US dollars that is between $24,000 and $25,000 depending on the exchange rate. Or closer to what one might pay for college. So these kids come from well-off families.Mrs. Karen Carey is the music director at the school and they usually give a big concert, involving most of the students, every two years in the Sydney Opera house. This film documents that for a recent year, beginning about 8 months before the concert is scheduled.As some have mentioned it often feels more like a "reality show" than a pure documentary. There are mild disciplinary talks with some of the students who have a habit of getting in trouble. Some talks with groups who don't seem interested in participating. But Mrs Carey feels strongly that such participation can be a "life-changing" experience for them if they go at it with the right attitude.I was one of those kids once, but at a small town public school. I played in the band, trumpet, and was good enough to be first chair and participate in regional honor bands. I can relate to this content, being in music and in performances during my formative years was a key activity to help form who I became as an adult.The film ends with the big concert, excerpts of most if not all performances. It ends with Emily, a Chinese-Australian student whose dad was a violinist but died young. Emily clearly grew up in Sydney but is somewhat reserved and, when asked if she would perform a violin concerto with orchestra at the big performance she was reluctant. Oh she knew she could learn the music, she wasn't sure about performing in such a venue for such a big audience.But Emily did great, in fact it was more like seeing and hearing a professional violinist perform. She was flawless, her pitch was always perfect, she performed with emotion, and she finished with a big smile. Even though some parts of the film might be less thrilling, seeing her performance made the whole viewing great.

Chief_Squirrel The various internet movie reviews (and the entirely disingenuous DVD cover) suggest MRS. CAREY'S CONCERT is some kind of "exhilarating feature film experience". I had to double-check to see if I had watched the same show.The movie I saw, a fly-on-the-wall documentary, is more an effective examination of the processes of indoctrination employed by teachers at a private girls' school. Perhaps it's due to the power of dramatic archetypes that critics and viewers alike stopped watching the story that was, and inferred something else entirely. I'm not sure.I didn't see "determination" or "the power of education to transform lives". I saw bullying and threats, as the teaching staff attempted to shoehorn off-the-rack notions of music into the minds of their callow pupils.The one notable exception, Iris, has been described elsewhere as "truculent" and "a villain" for no other reason than refusing to conform. Her crime seemed to be simply stating the truth of her feelings: that she was not interested in participating in the concert. What the hell is wrong with that? In almost any other dramatic context, Iris would be considered the hero.The privileged high school students---appropriately immature and unworldly---are patently unable to appreciate the deeper themes and emotions at the heart of classical music. Yet, are ruthlessly intimidated; if only to the point of appearing as if they do, just to make the intimidation stop.Emily, the competent violinist at the centre of the story seems to be singled out for additional verbal water-boarding for no other reason than that she is Asian. All of her ability and talent is brought to the school on the back of her own circumstance and dedication; I'm puzzled how anyone could think the teachers should take the credit for it.With the focus of the two year-long narrative being wholly on the destination (rather than the journey), it's no wonder the final performance is so bereft of joy, especially from the titular Mrs. Carey. By the end of it all, I didn't see kids transformed by the perseverance of one woman. I saw kids who simply seemed to be happy that the whole thing was finally over.It's impossible to watch this film and not invoke Chris Lilley from ANGRY BOYS or SUMMER HEIGHTS HIGH. Nonetheless, the documentary is recommended viewing... just not for any of the reasons stated in the reviews or the marketing.To me, MRS. CAREY'S CONCERT demonstrates two things. Firstly, everything that is wrong with the education system, especially private education. Secondly, considering the comments, the insidious power of brainwashing.

gregking4 This is not another of those films like Mr Holland's Opus in which a dedicated teacher transforms the lives of their disadvantaged students through music. Rather this is a fascinating documentary that takes us inside a private girl's school in Sydney and the music department, which holds a huge showcase concert at the Sydney Opera House every two years. Mrs Carey is the formidable head of the school's music department who believes in the power of music to transform the lives of her students and nourish the soul. She insists that all 1200 students participate in the concert. She is also something of a perfectionist and a demanding taskmaster, and the rehearsals are rigorous, the preparations are demanding. However, not all of her students are eager to participate, and this generates a frisson of tension that adds to the material. A major subplot that develops almost by chance sees two girls whose attitudes are changed dramatically through their involvement. One is Emily Sun, a troubled student who is starting to go off the rails behaviour-wise, until Mrs Carey nominates her to play solo violin on a difficult concerto. The personal pain of her private life eventually shapes her brilliant performance on the night. The other is Iris, a rude, surly, rebellious and disruptive student who is reluctant to get involved. Veteran documentary filmmaker Bob Connolly (Rats In The Ranks, etc) and his new collaborator Sophie Raymond have spent the better part of a year embedding themselves in the school and filming the preparation for the concert. Granted an unprecedented level of access, Connolly and his crew are unobtrusive observers who adopt a frank, fly-on-the-wall approach. The cameras follow the students and teachers as they rehearse and plan for the concert, and uncover a journey of self-discovery filled with passion, angst and the occasional conflict. They even manage to capture some moments of self-doubt on the part of Carey as the concert draws near. Connolly shot plenty of footage over the course of three years, and there is more than enough material to turn Mrs Carey's Concert into a fascinating three part television series, culminating in the concert itself. This is Connolly's first film since Facing The Music a decade ago, and is a tremendously inspiring and uplifting film.

sacha@sachawheeler.com A great film with which to launch the 2011 Adelaide film festival, Bob Connolly and Sophie Raymond managed to capture the struggles of a headstrong and brilliant music teacher with equally headstrong students, on a journey towards a daunting and ambitious concert at the Sydney Opera House. We follow multiple characters through 18 months of preparation and hard work, but a single failure on anyone's part will jeopardise the whole effort.This is a great film about ego, passion, learning and commitment.Bob Connolly's masterful camera work and Sophie Raymond's gorgeous sound recording bring this story to life with an impressive intimacy.