Sing Street

With a proper 80’s feel, this Irish comedy/drama is layered with perfect music and a story full of smiles and heart. I’m not even an 80’s kid, but I know the songs and styles from that decade and this film pulls off that era with ease and brilliance.

Due to money problems at home, music fan Conor (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo) is moved to a free state school. He sees a girl one day and talks to Raphina (Lucy Boynton), inviting her to star in his band’s video. Now all he has to do is actually start a band, leading him on a discovery of love, self and lyrics.

John Carney who brought us Once, is back with his musical presence and realistic writing. He creates a fantastically immersive story that throws us into the life and times of 1985; the way this band comes across looks and sounds like they’re a bona fide group of that era. It’s a passionate and cheerful feature that may be simple in places but is dealt with so enjoyably that I don’t care.

Amongst the amazing sounds of the 1980’s, there’s a magnificent composition of original tracks from Gary Clark, who along with Carney truly captures the beats of familiar artists from the time, transferring them into funny yet authentic sounding tunes for the Sing Street band to perform. It’s not just the music that makes you tap your feet, the way each band’s music video is seen and the changing fashions of Conor as he enters school is excellent.