Review of Sing Street (2016) by Kj P — 23 Aug 2016

Director John Carney knows exactly how to mesh storytelling and music into his films. In both of his most well-known feature films, Once (which is still one of my favourite romances to this day) and his more mainstream Begin Again, there was a certain level of electricity between the characters, unlike most films. He has proven himself as one of the best directors around today, as far as characters and performances go. Sing Street is absolutely no exception to that fact and may just be the best film I will see all year. Filled with music that will make you tap your feet and lyrics that will have you in tears, lets talk about why Sing Street is awesome, beautiful, hilarious, and emotional, all at once.

Taking place in the 1980's, Sing Street follows Conor, played spectacularly well by newcomer Ferdia Walsh-Peelo if I might add, as he he bullied around at a new school. Finding a few friends that are just like him, he takes his brothers advice in starting a band. Taking elements from bands like Duran Duran or Depeche Mode, they form their own futuristic genre. The band is started due to his interest in a girl, but their friendship is unlike anything I have seen in film this year. Their chemistry is off the charts and their performances as these teenagers are fantastic. On top of all this, the original music written for this film and played throughout, is absolutely perfect.

Yes, the cast in terrific, and yes the story works very well, but the main reason this film is so much fun to watch, is the fact that each and every song tells a story. Although you get everything you need through the character interactions, the music played a few scenes after an emotional moment occurs, allows you to dive in even deeper into their mind. There is some awesome rock to bop your head to, some slow rock to make you tear up, and a climactic finale with enough music to satisfying both. Having Sing Street take place in Dublin, giving every cast member an accent, is not something you see released worldwide, but I could not be happier that it was. This film needs to be seen.

Dealing with many elements, including bullying, divorce, friendship, love, and what it truly means to do something with your life, Sing Street balances everything very well. Being able to establish many messages that it will try to accomplish in the first act, nearly every single one of them is done to perfection. This film had me in tears on multiple occasions, whether the message was being delivered through an emotional song or just a choice made by a character you have come to care about. Sing Street is a much deeper, and more fun film that its promotional material suggests.

Sing Street is the rare film that meshes romance, friendship, and life issues all into one, while also being a fast paced film with a lot more to say than, hey we have cool music in our movie so you better like it. I loved everything about this film from start to finish. From its masterful to direction, to its believable and loveable character, to its fantastic music, Sing Street is a film that should be on your radar if it already wasn't. Sure, there may be a few average moviegoers that are turned off by its offbeat tone, but to me, this is why film exists. There are still many more films to see this year, but at this moment, I do not see anything topping Sing Street. A True work of filmmaking art.