Written by: Kevin Berge
You don't get much cooler than these guys. (Image Courtesy of: screencrush.com)
Quick Take: Sing Street dives into 80s Dublin with a committed period piece on the effect of the music scene at that time. It is driven by top notch performances that easily mold into the scenery, great music, and writing that is equally emotional and funny.
***This is a review for an under-the-radar 2016 film that the reader is not expected to have seen yet. Therefore, there will be no spoilers ahead beyond some allusions to the story elements.***
"Rock and roll is a risk."
Few industries are in such constant flux as the music industry. Each decade has been defined by its own unique brand of musicians which leads to a sound even a mood that is hard to forget.
Sing Street is wholly a movie about the 80s in its style, themes, and sounds. Following Conor (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo), the youngest of an Irish family falling apart, as he is forced to go to a free Christian school, Sing Street is driven by Conor's need to impress a girl by starting a band.
This movie is, in simple terms, a coming-of-age story as Conor finds his identity through his music as well as his growing relationships with his friends and family. Particularly at the center of the film are his attempts to live up to his brother Brendan (Jack Reynor) and impress aspiring model Raphina (Lucy Boynton).
A romantic musical comedy-drama may not sound like that fresh an idea, and this is not a wholly original movie. However, it is an extremely well constructed movie that is an enjoyable and stylish ride from start to finish.
This starts with the performances in this film. Many of the actors disappear into the background in a good way. Even with actors like Aidan Gillen (Game of Thrones) and Maria Doyle Kennedy (The Tudors) as the Conor's parents, you can barely tell there are actors in roles here.
The true standout of the cast is Jack Reynor (What Richard Did) who is engaging and the quiet heart of the movie. He also has easily the funniest role. Lead Ferdia Walsh-Peelo proves to be a capable newcomer who should get much more work going forward.
"Rock and roll is a risk."
Few industries are in such constant flux as the music industry. Each decade has been defined by its own unique brand of musicians which leads to a sound even a mood that is hard to forget.
Sing Street is wholly a movie about the 80s in its style, themes, and sounds. Following Conor (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo), the youngest of an Irish family falling apart, as he is forced to go to a free Christian school, Sing Street is driven by Conor's need to impress a girl by starting a band.
This movie is, in simple terms, a coming-of-age story as Conor finds his identity through his music as well as his growing relationships with his friends and family. Particularly at the center of the film are his attempts to live up to his brother Brendan (Jack Reynor) and impress aspiring model Raphina (Lucy Boynton).
A romantic musical comedy-drama may not sound like that fresh an idea, and this is not a wholly original movie. However, it is an extremely well constructed movie that is an enjoyable and stylish ride from start to finish.
This starts with the performances in this film. Many of the actors disappear into the background in a good way. Even with actors like Aidan Gillen (Game of Thrones) and Maria Doyle Kennedy (The Tudors) as the Conor's parents, you can barely tell there are actors in roles here.
The true standout of the cast is Jack Reynor (What Richard Did) who is engaging and the quiet heart of the movie. He also has easily the funniest role. Lead Ferdia Walsh-Peelo proves to be a capable newcomer who should get much more work going forward.
I wish I had a brother who said just enlightening things as "You need to learn how to not play". (Image Courtesy of: xfdrmag.net)
"I'm a futurist."
"Epic, see you in the future then."
Director John Carney (Once) has proven himself a fascinating director who is particularly effective in creating strong musically-influenced movies. This is his best work yet, his most polished as well as his most well formed.
Carney drives forward this story both behind camera and with his writing; keeping it light and effective. There is an effortlessness to the dialogue that flows but is also infinitely quotable which was why I needed to include several of my favorite lines along the way.
At its core, this movie lives and dies by its music, and Carney has proven again how strong he is at finding quality music talent. After working with composers Glen Hansard and Gregg Alexander, he turned to Danny Wilson's Gary Clark to help mold the 80s feel of this movie's soundtrack.
The movie uses the songs of Duran Duran, The Clash, A-ha, and more, and it uses those influences in the writing of the original tunes by Conor's band Sing Street. Sing Street's tunes are all fun, but "To Find You" was particularly quality.
If this movie has one fault, it is a crime of concept. Coming of age is a time-honored story device that will always make a movie far more sentimental than some can stand. Unlike some of Carney's past work, this film does verge on sappiness though balances the line well.
This movie is wholly inviting, a treat of music and comedy. It includes quality work in every phase of execution, and that makes it so enjoyable. It is a movie so well made that you don't have to notice a bit of what makes it great to enjoy it.
"For our art, Cosmo, you can never go halfway."
"Epic, see you in the future then."
Director John Carney (Once) has proven himself a fascinating director who is particularly effective in creating strong musically-influenced movies. This is his best work yet, his most polished as well as his most well formed.
Carney drives forward this story both behind camera and with his writing; keeping it light and effective. There is an effortlessness to the dialogue that flows but is also infinitely quotable which was why I needed to include several of my favorite lines along the way.
At its core, this movie lives and dies by its music, and Carney has proven again how strong he is at finding quality music talent. After working with composers Glen Hansard and Gregg Alexander, he turned to Danny Wilson's Gary Clark to help mold the 80s feel of this movie's soundtrack.
The movie uses the songs of Duran Duran, The Clash, A-ha, and more, and it uses those influences in the writing of the original tunes by Conor's band Sing Street. Sing Street's tunes are all fun, but "To Find You" was particularly quality.
If this movie has one fault, it is a crime of concept. Coming of age is a time-honored story device that will always make a movie far more sentimental than some can stand. Unlike some of Carney's past work, this film does verge on sappiness though balances the line well.
This movie is wholly inviting, a treat of music and comedy. It includes quality work in every phase of execution, and that makes it so enjoyable. It is a movie so well made that you don't have to notice a bit of what makes it great to enjoy it.
"For our art, Cosmo, you can never go halfway."
