Sister Act

This was a great film, and I thank the French for making it, as I enjoy films set in these type of schools, especially those with a sort of Dickensian feel.

However, I couldn't help but feel that much of this was inspired by (not to be confused with "copied from") the "Sister Act" films. A period setting with boys instead of nuns, but the basic elements... a strict official, a new member who takes the rabble under his wing, a "gifted" singer, going public... they share these things.

Overall, I enjoyed this film more for its less-comical nature and fair handling of troubled boys in a mismanaged establishment, whereas "Sister Act" clearly parodies nuns and religion. The use of the "reformist individual coming into an old school establishment and causing change" theme isn't a new one, of course... "Goodbye Mr Chips", for example, even "The Shawshank Redemption" uses the theme to a degree.

Interested to know if anyone else watched this film and felt it resembled other films they've seen?