Director: John Carney
Cast: Lucy Boynton, Maria Doyle Kennedy, Jack Reynor, Kelly Thornton, Ferdia Walsh-Peelo, Aidan Gillen, Ben Carolan
Rating: 12A
Running Time: 105 mins
Release Date: April 22nd, 2016
Get ready for my first pick of the feel-good films of 2016…
Your appreciation of SING STREET will depend on (a) whether you were a teenager during the mid-1980s – or (b) whether you empathise with the development emotionally of the teenagers on show in the film.
Either way, I sense that you may just revel in the satisfyingly addictive, toe-tapping quality of the piece, which in my opinion provides the same sort of reaction from the likes of previous crowd-pleasers like THE COMMITMENTS (1991) and STRICTLY BALLROOM (1992).
The former example is more readily identifiable with SING STREET, not least in that one of the key actresses in that award-winning Alan Parker film, Maria Doyle Kennedy (who played one of the backing singers) plays a mother to three children growing up in Dublin in this film, trying to salvage an evidently loveless marriage.
The plot, such as it is, is a simple backdrop to a coming-of-age tale that is equal parts charming, as it is rooted in reality. It’s the simple of tale of boy likes girl, boy forms band, boy discovers talent for music – and so on…..
Director John Carney, who composed some of the original songs for the film as well (and I must say does pretty good capturing the essence of many a New Romantic tune, as I was toe-tapping during this screening at times!), directs a solid cast, led by young leads Ferdia Walsh-Peelo as Cosmo and Lucy Boynton as Raphina, as they form a band to escape a life of dysfunction.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m15TDPeCjM8
Much of the film’s strength comes from its perceptive honesty when depicting the thoughts and emotions of the teenagers and kids here. I certainly could identify with the school yard moments in this film – which evoked memories of my own struggles in a UK Secondary School (right down to a moment of bullying that is shown in all it’s essence in this film).
I would also say that this is the right kind of movie for teenagers to view, as much of those memories from that time are rendered as honest as possible and remain as universal as they ever were.
SING STREET follows the traditional music movie template that has been used in the likes of SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER (1977), FLASHDANCE (1983) and the original version of FOOTLOOSE (1984).
In each case (and including this film) music is used indirectly to reflect the mindset of the characters inhabiting their respective worlds. In these examples, Tony Manero (John Travolta), Alex Owens (Jennifer Beals) and Ren McCormack (Kevin Bacon) are aware of their talents, but lack the confidence at times to follow through to better themselves.
It could be in the long run that this movie could become a future Sing-Along event like FROZEN and ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW have been (though probably not to the obsessiveness of the latter – given its ongoing late-night successes after it’s lukewarm debut on the big-screen back in 1975).
On balance though, given my stimulating experience watching this movie, coupled with the wonderful performances, overall optimism and positive atmosphere throughout, helped along by some really great moments of reflection and humour, I am happy to give SING STREET the thumbs-up. The kids here have no airs and graces, not dissimilar to the kids ensemble in Richard Linklater‘s wonderful SCHOOL OF ROCK (2003).
I must single out Lucy Boynton as Raphina, who exudes the right level of vulnerability and poise that marks her out as a name for the future, so keep your eyes open on her next projects.
Don’t try too hard with it (not to mention making the most of a good time at the flicks) and SING STREET will get under your feet in a good way.
Verdict
