My Brother’s Band (M) – 103 minutes

An assured, world-renowned classical conductor learns the bitter truth in the most unfortunate of circumstances and it changes his life.

The latter is also true for a cook at a school cafeteria, who plays the trombone in a community brass band and struggles with self-doubt.

Circumstances conspire to bring the two together.

Thibaut (Benjamin Lavernhe) is at the peak of his powers when he learns that he has leukaemia and needs a bone marrow transplant, otherwise he will die.

A sibling gives him a one in four chance of success. Otherwise, it becomes a one in a million shot.

So, it is that his sister offers to step up, only to Thibaut’s great shock, she turns out not to be his sister because his mother didn’t tell him that he was adopted.

Next thing we know, Thibaut is in contact with a brother that he didn’t know he had.

While in many regards they are polar opposites, a love of music unites them.

Jimmy (Pierre Lottin) is relatively uneducated and has a decidedly more modest existence.

The working-class town where he lives is home to a shaky brass band, of which he is a member, and Thibaut discovers that Jimmy has the benefit of perfect pitch.

At the urging of Jimmy’s mother, he comes to the fore and helps out Thibaut in his time of medical crisis.

Subsequently, Thibaut tries to remedy the injustice of fate and help a reluctant Jimmy nurture his God-given gift, but the pitfalls are many.

My Brother’s Band is a compelling story featuring two captivating performances.

The movie starts with orchestral excellence and builds to a heartfelt conclusion.

It is the fine work of co-writer and director Emmanuel Courcol.

The frequent plot twists not only maintain interest, but heighten tension.

There is passion and sensitivity in Benjamin Lavernhe’s portrayal of Thibaut, who has honed his skills over 20 years of hard work. His is a performance of rare quality and substance.

Pierre Lottin brings Jimmy to life with a rough and ready persona, underneath which is vulnerability and inadequacy. Against Thibaut, Jimmy feels he can’t and will never measure up.

Isabelle Zanotti exudes warmth and care as Jimmy’s fellow band member, Charlene, who has more than a passing interest in him.

Charlene also is a key campaigner against the closure of a factory, in which she worked.

My Brother’s Band presents an emotional roller coaster of a ride. In short, it is a picture with "the feels" that has been well conceived and executed.

Rated M, it scores an 8 out of 10.