Sing Street – a new musical comedy from Once director John Carney – is a funny, boisterous and joyously uplifting treat. Set in Dublin in 1985, it’s a loving homage to the 80s, full of in-joke cultural references to the period, its music and fashion.
Conor (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo) is a new kid at an inner-city school who gradually musters the courage to talk to beautiful Raphina (Lucy Boynton); a model preparing to move to London. He asks her to be in his music video and she agrees – only problem is, he’s not yet in a band…
With his older brother Brendan (Jack Reynor) and a charming crew of mates, Conor blossoms from timid kid to cool teen, finding within music the power to escape his troubled home life; as his parents (Aiden Gillen and Maria Doyle Kennedy) are in the process of breaking up.
Full of infectious musical set-pieces and tremendously likeable performances, Sing Streetis a lovely, rousing film that’s certain to receive positive press and excellent word of mouth; and could be a great title for families – the 80s nostalgia will please the parents, while their teenage children will enjoy the film’s sweet central romance.
