"Sing Street" (2016)

I haven't posted anything in quite a while so I figured this was as good a film as any to make a comeback to this blog with! 

Rating: PG-13

Genre: Art House & International, Drama, Musical & Performing Arts

Directed By: John Carney

Written By: John Carney

In Theatres: Apr 15, 2016

Runtime: 106 minutes

Studio: Likely Story

Summary: 

Irish film set in 1985 Dublin, and directed by John Carney. Connor (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo), as a means of impressing a girl (Lucy Boynton), decides to start a band – as you do. With the help of classmate Eamon, (Mark McKenna) and his older brother (Jack Reynor), he manages to do just that. The question is, will he win over the girl?

Review: 

I watched Sing Street for the first time a few months ago – and it’s become one of my favourite movies in such a short space of time.

My favourite aspect of the movie is the music. I love 80s music and I love 80s movies so I was on board with this from the get-go. The Cure, Duran Duran, Daryl Hall & John Oates, among others – a good time is guaranteed! Even Starship's "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" managed to make an appearance! The film also features some original 80s inspired songs from the lads in Sing Street which are certainly very catchy and good fun to listen to. “Drive It Like You Stole It” is probably the most memorable of the collection. With the guys performing this song on stage, there is a fantastic sequence midway through the film. In it we are taken into Connor’s head as he envisages a music video inspired by the infamous ‘Johnny B Goode’ scene in “Back To The Future”. – Another reason to love this film! 

Aside from the feel-good music, I love the simplicity of the plot. The story mainly focuses on how Connor grows and matures throughout the film. Soon it is no longer just about impressing the girl, but also about enjoying making this new music and figuring out who he is and what he wants and not worrying if anyone has a problem with it. His image changes, his clothes change, and his outlook changes throughout the film as he discovers his style. 

I also love the relationship between Connor and his brother, Brendan. It’s special. Brendan is the backbone of his motivation behind making the band the best it can be. In a sense, he is living out the chances he wished he had taken years ago through his brother. It’s sweet how much Connor looks up to him and how much in turn, he looks out for Connor. It’s lovely to see Brendan going through a transformation throughout the film too. All the characters do in their own way, however subtle.

There’s a few laughs in here too. One of my favourite parts of the film is the on-going gag regarding Eamon and his love of rabbits. Connor’s friendship with Eamon is something special and worth noting too. 

One scene I have to say I found quite shocking and unexpected was when Connor had arrived into school with makeup and his hair dyed. This was a huge no-no. The priest (or principal of the school) marches him down to the bathroom and man-handles him, hits him, almost drowning him in an attempt to make him take the makeup off his face. I guess this is what happened in Irish schools back then, but at the same time, I wasn’t expecting it from the tone that had been previously set.

The film was very successful, nominated for Best Motion Picture in the Golden Globes. The song “Drive It Like You Stole It” was also nominated for an Oscar causing huge hype and excitement for the Irish film industry here at home. 

This is an absolutely fantastic feel-good coming of age film that's well worth a watch. So go now to your nearest Netflix device and sit back and enjoy! 

Final Rating:  4/5 Stars 

Trailer: