Sing Street: Movie Review

I have yet to see writer/director John Carney’s acclaimed “Once”. However I am a huge fan of 2013’s “Begin Again”.  Based on that film alone, I had high hopes for his latest, “Sing Street”. Thankfully, Carney did not disappoint.  If you love music, especially 80’s music, you will most likely find this Dublin set coming-of-age story as irresistible as I did.

Set in the 1980’s, 14-year-old Connor (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo) is not having an easy time of things.  Due to his parents financial struggles, he is now forced to attend a free state-school.  His first day doesn’t go well, when the principal (Don Wycherley) warns him about not having black shoes for the school dress code.  Connor’s plea that he can’t afford new shoes fall on deaf ears and leads to him walking around shoeless.

Connor’s only friend has been his pot-smoking, music loving, older brother, Brendan (Jack Reynor). That however changes when Connor meets Raphina (Lucy Boyton), a young girl who plans to move to London and become a model.  Connor wants to impress her, so he decides to start a band with some fellow students. Connor has no musical experience, but with the wisdom of his brother and the support of his new friends and bandmates, they wind up creating some wonderful music indeed.

“Sing Street” is an absolute delight.  Not only is the music top-notch, but the cast of mostly newcomers that make up the band are all great. However it is Raynor that is the scene stealer here.  In one of the film’s best scenes, Cosmo’s band performs at the school, while at the same time he imagines them all being in a big 80’s music video.  This is truly a sweet film as well and the relationship that forms between Cosmo and Raphina feels genuine.  “Sing Street” is a must see for any fan of movies and music.

By: Marc Ferman