Film Review: Sing Street

From the director of critically acclaimed Once and Begin Again, comes John Carney’s passion project, Sing Street. Set in 1980’s Dublin, Sing Street tells that tale of a young teen named Conor (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo) who in the midst of his parents’ marriage breaking down, relentless bullying at school and spurred on by his infatuation with the mysterious and older Raphina, decides to start a band to impress her.

Conor with the help of ‘manager’ Darren enlists a group of misfits to form Sing Street, including honorary black member Ngig (Percy and Chamburuk) and the multi-instrumentalist who can put Conor’s heartfelt lyrics to a classic 80’s melody, Eamon (Mark Mckenna). As Conor recruits Raphina to star in their music videos he gains confidence experimenting with makeup at school, standing up to his bullies and trying to encapsulate ‘happy-sad’.

Sing Street at its core is a drama however that definition seems too simplistic. Sing Street is bittersweet, its’s hilarious, it’s a coming of age story that is both nostalgic and relatable. It is reminiscent of The Commitments (but by no means purposefully insists Carney) however has a similar tone as portrayed by the cult classic TV show Freaks and Geeks and Cameron Crow’s Almost Famous. Hopefully, it will encourage a new wave of musical films which seem to be becoming more popular once again as evident by La La Land which picked up seven golden globes and was strong competition against Sing Street. Musically, Sing Street is outstanding with the perfect combination of 80’s classics and potently captures the film’s spirit. Carney and Danny Wilson (Gary Clark’s frontman) have created an amazing score with influences ranging from Motörhead to The Cure and The Jam. The band’s songs make you wish they were a band in reality as ‘The Riddle of the Model’ and ‘Drive It Like You Stole It’ are incredibly catchy and delightful.

Carney himself was a bassist for the Irish rock band The Frames in the 90’s and directed some of their music videos. It appears as though the character of Conor was influenced by Carney himself as Conor allows his imagination to run wild in forming the videos, producing intricate stories with a certain flare carried out by Raphina and all showing an honest portrayal of industrial Dublin.

Carneys development of each character is meticulous with each main character being fully explored from Conor himself to his school rival Barry (Ian Kenny). Jack Reynor however as Conor’s older brother Brendan and music mentor, truly gives the stand out performance portraying both the source of eternal wisdom whom Conor looks up to whilst also conveying a moving narrative of his own. Carney unusually has created and developed a ‘filler’ character who normally is so overlooked. And the result will move you to tears.

The Verdict

Sing Street in one word is charming. It’s refreshingly honest and unexpected as it pokes fun at the many movie cliches that we’ve just come to expect in a coming of age film and is destined to become a cult classic.

Rating: 9/10

Words by Ciara Church