Sing Street

[kevinknapman]

Writer/director John Carney makes his third film on the themes of love and music (after Once and Begin Again) with this wonderfully nostalgic and personal tale of an 80's teenager starting his own band to impress an older girl.

As with the two previous films, the original songs are both an effective way of getting across the underlying themes of the film and decent songs in their own right. Carney and co-writer Gary Clark (with a little help from Once's Glen Hansard and Begin Again/Maroon 5's Adam Levine) make excellent use of various 80's band styles in creating the songs (amusingly mirrored in the changing visual look of the band).

A mostly young cast make the material really sing (sorry) with Ferdia Walsh-Peelo a solid find as awkward front-man Conor. Lucy Boynton is also very good as Raphina, the older girl he wants to impress, while Jack Reynor excels as the older brother who Conor looks up to. Of the more experienced cast, Maria Doyle Kennedy (along with Hansard another connection to The Commitments) and Aidan Gillen are good as the parents on the verge of breaking up, while Father Ted's Don Wycherley (Father Cyril Macduff) gets to play a more unpleasant bullying man of the cloth here as the head brother of Conor's school.

It's not an entirely perfect film. The music, as good as it is, is perhaps a little too slick and polished for the music of a just formed teen school band. While most of the band aside from Conor, co-writer/guitarist/rabbit lover Eamon and ginger-haired, braces wearing manager Darren, are disappointingly underused.

These are minor faults however in a film that has plenty of charm and energy to make up for them. Hats off to Carney too for managing to make another music-based film without ever getting the feeling that's he's covering familiar ground. A toe-tapping feelgood film.

[McG]

A pleasant enough film with the feel good factor. Good to see original music used and not just cover versions. Enjoyed watching the changing hairstyles and fashion as they progressed.
Marks 6.5/10

[yogi]

Absolutely loved it, funny and moving, I had a huge grin on my face the whole way through.

There were dramatic moments as well, these were quite subtle, but still powerful.

And loved the flights of fancy / music video moments during some of the songs. Came out of it with a spring in my step, it really captured the joy and hope music can bring just as well as another favourite of mine, Good Vibrations. I can't really fault it so... 10/10

[prettyxcool]

Starts of a little slow, but a lovely and funny story of a boy in a dysfunctional family (the parents were great here), his coming of age, the brotherly bond, boy meets girl, forming a band, and chasing your dreams come what may. The two leads were good, and I really enjoyed the music and songs. 7/10

[biggins]

Music was good and some funny moments. Watchable but not one I would watch again. 6/10

[The Sparrow]

The '80s music had my toes tapping and I loved how the new music was heavily influenced by the hits we heard.
It didn't bother me in the slightest that the band were slick, I just enjoyed their journey and growth.

Will there be a sequel? Did they make it to the UK? Were they successful? I need answers

[Noorjahapatel]

I thought this was absolutely brilliant. I forgot what the 80s was like and this was a superb reminder. The first half of the film has me in hysterics, it was so funny. The feel good element of the film is also great. The acting was so good that I loved the characters. The hair, clothes and music were spot on! ....and the Irish. This film made me want to go back to the 80s.

The creativity when it came to the music and filming was amazing.

A must see 10/10

[Beate]

Brill. Toe tapping music. Yes, the songs are too good for a teen band and the end, as nice as it is, is far-fetched,but hey, we can all dream!

8/10

[Florence1]

I really enjoyed this and so did my friend. It was light entertainment with lots of really good music. I would recommend.

[gmw80]

Really enjoyed it as did my 13 year old daughter - worked well for both ages!