‘Boychoir’ Trailer: Dustin Hoffman Trains Kid Singers
Love tales of talented young musicians and cranky old teachers, but foundWhiplasha bit too intense for your liking? You might be the right audience forBoychoir, an upcoming indie drama starringDustin Hoffmanas a choir master who finds a promising preteen talent inGarrett Wareing.
Hoffman snaps things like “How dare you squander your talent?” but stops somewhere short of throwing heavy equipment at the kid’s head. And the kid gives as good as he gets, shooting back stuff like “Your clock is ticking too, old man.” Watch theBoychoirtrailer after the jump.
Wareing plays Stet (as in Stetson), an 11-year-old Texan who’s sent to “the premier boy choir school in the nation” after the death of his single mother. He immediately fails to fit in – he’s a poor kid with behavioral issues, in a fancy school full of fancy people — but his vocal talents capture the attention of the sour Carvelle (Hoffman).
Boychoirfrankly doesn’t look like anything special, but a few festival reviews have noted that itsoundslike something special. “The best thing to do is sit back and enjoy the heavenly music,” wroteTHR. “The best reason to seeBoychoiris the chance to hearBoychoir,” addedRogerEbert.com.
Directed byFrançois Girard,Boychoirgets a limited release startingApril 3. Rounding out the cast areJosh Lucasas Stet’s absentee father,Debra Wingeras Stet’s teacher,Kathy Batesas the headmistress,Kevin McHale(ofGleefame) as a professor,Joe Westas Stet’s young rival, andEddie Izzardas Carvelle’s snooty assistant.
A rebellious preteen (Garrett Wareing) with a remarkable gift is challenged by a demanding vocal teacher (Dustin Hoffman) at one of the most prestigious music academies in the country as they prepare for the National Championship. Also starring Kathy Bates, Kevin McHale, Eddie Izzard, Debra Winger, River Alexander and Josh Lucas.
