Review: British dramedy 'Military Wives' is predictably heartwarming, but the cast makes it worthwhile

If you’ve seen “The Full Monty” or “Calendar Girls,” you know the kind of movie you’re getting with “Military Wives”: A warm-hearted story of stiff-upper-lipped Brits united by a common purpose, in a narrative that delivers exactly the emotional ride you expect, but with a cast charming enough to make you not mind the manipulation.

At the Flitcroft Garrison, the soldiers prepare for a deployment to Afghanistan, and their wives prepare to carry on while they’re gone. It falls to Lisa (Sharon Horgan), because she’s married to Red (Robbie Gee), the sergeant-major (the ranking enlisted man), to lead the organization of social events for the wives. Usually, this involves morning coffee meetings and the occasional movie night — which is usually a pretense for having a few drinks.

Kate (Kristin Scott Thomas), the wife of the garrison’s commander, Richard (Greg Wise), decides she wants to help Lisa along. Kate’s agenda is more structured, toward book clubs and knitting circles — and her pert efficiency rubs Lisa the wrong way early on.

For their differences, Kate and Lisa have something in common: Worry about their children. With Lisa, it’s her rebellious teen daughter, Frankie (India Amarteifio). With Kate, it’s the void left by her son, Jamie, a soldier killed in Afghanistan.

Kate and Lisa finally agree on one activity for the soldier’s wives: A singing club. But where Kate wants to teach vocal exercises, Lisa would rather have the women sing pop songs that they enjoy. Despite the battle of wills up front, the ladies’ choir actually starts to sound good — enough so that the visiting brigadier (Colin Mace) pulls some strings and gets the ladies a gig: A performance at the Festival of Remembrance, a Memorial Day-like concert at the Royal Albert Hall, and televised across Britain.

Director Peter Cattaneo directed “The Full Monty” many years ago, so he knows the contours of this story — inspired by the creation of real military-wives’ choirs, and whipped into a screenplay by Rosanne Flynn and Rachel Tunnard. There will be laughs, of course, as the mismatched women battle for the choir’s leadership and respect. There will be moments of tragedy and camaraderie. And there will be a rousing finish.

Yes, “Military Wives” is as formulaic as a movie can get. But the ingredients come together nicely, and Horgan (best known for playing opposite Rob Delaney on the sitcom “Catastrophe”) especially shines as the no-nonsense sergeant’s wife with a hidden rock-band streak. Nobody reinvents the wheel with “Military Wives,” but they spin it well enough to get it where it needs to go.

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‘Military Wives’

★★★

Debuts Friday, May 22, as a digital rental on various streaming platforms. Rated PG-13 for some strong language and sexual references. Running time: 113 minutes.