Military Wives

As a war movie that takes place far from the front lines, Military Wives is overflowing with heartfelt intentions.

However, this bittersweet salute to the emotional resilience of women on the home front finds its throwback charms compromised by heavy-handed sentimentality. Consequently, this true-life chronicle of the first titular British choir feels slightly out of tune.

It’s set in the 2000s, when Kate (Kristin Scott Thomas) says goodbye again as her husband (Greg Wise) leaves for another tour of duty in the Middle East.

He’s the ranking officer on the local army base, which means Kate assumes the role of coordinating activities for the wives, for whom every ring of the phone or knock at the door comes with chilly trepidation. “It’s very important to keep busy — less time to think about things,” she reasons.

Her role requires a balance and emotional delicacy that Kate doesn’t always exhibit, even if she means well. So she enlists the help of Lisa (Sharon Horgan), who relates better to her peers.

After some awkward brainstorming, they eventually decide to put their collective vocal skills to use in forming a choir. The ragtag group becomes dedicated to the point of securing a performance spot during a tribute concert at Royal Albert Hall, if only their nerves make it that far.

As directed by Peter Cattaneo (The Full Monty), the film strains to maximize the emotional impact of its crowd-pleasing refrain. Underneath its breezy surface, the screenplay offers a universal exploration of grief and coping mechanisms that crosses cultural and geographic boundaries.

It’s a mildly heartwarming and occasionally poignant, if embellished, portrait of how the war rages inside the heads of those left behind. Yet the manipulative tendencies mostly trivialize the deeper psychological roller coaster of military spouses who carry on behind the scenes during times of conflict.

At least the ensemble cast seems to be having fun, with Scott Thomas (The English Patient) again showcasing her versatility in a more lightweight role. The upbeat musical numbers are pleasant enough, too, including a lovely original song in the finale.

Military Wives positions itself as an old-fashioned support-the-troops saga with a certain patriotic flair. But in this case, it’s easier to appreciate those who inspired the story more than the cinematic karaoke on the screen.

Rated PG-13, 112 minutes.