The tale begins with the arrival of a guest bearing a diary at the home of a renowned conductor. Who they are becomes clear as the story unfolds in a flashback to 1949 in post World War II France, with the setting an institution for problem boys with various ranges of difficulties. The administrator is a stern, cynical taskmaster. Punishment is the order of the day in response to any infraction.

Into this morass comes Clément Mathieu (Gérard Jugnot) as a new teacher. He is appalled by the rigidity and the virtual writing off of the youngsters. Against the odds, he struggles to reach them. Jugnot provides a most sympathetic characterization of the teacher as a lonely man with hopes of his own but one who is understanding and determined to make a difference. The way he finally reaches the lads is through molding them into a chorus that gives them a sense of community and achievement. He does so in defiance of the institution head, who mocks the whole idea, but the teacher’s discovery that Pierre, a sullen, withdrawn youngster (Jean-Baptiste Maunier), is blessed with a beautiful voice fuels the momentum.

One troublemaker seems beyond redemption, and writer-director Christophe Barratier, whose co-screenwriter was Philippe Lopes-Curval, has resorted to a melodramatic incident built around this tough, obstreperous teenager. But the film relies more upon truthful portrayals and the overall challenge than gimmickry. One performance that stands out is that of François Berléand as Rachin, the obnoxious headmaster. Another is that of Marie Bunel as Pierre’s devoted single mother to whom Mathieu is attracted.