A gem of a movie with heart

Rating: 9/10 (15 May 2016)

In this John Carney written and directed film, newcomer Ferdia Walsh-Peelo stars as Connor/Cosmo, a young boy whose parents Robert, played by Aiden Gillan and Penny played by Maria Doyle Kennedy, are splitting up and in an effort to save money they move him to a new school, all-boys Synge Street Christian Brothers School, where bullies, including the head priest, conspire to make his already miserable life worse.
Noticing a beautiful girl who always seems to be waiting on the steps opposite school, Raphina (Lucy Boynton), he approaches her and when she tells him she is a model he asks her if she wants to be in his music video. To his surprise, she agrees to think about it and this leaves him with a problem, he has to put a band together. His one friend Darren (Ben Carolan), introduces him to loner Eamon (Mark McKenna) a great musician who can help him put his lyrics to some great music, then they recruit Ngig (Percy Chamburuka), Larry (Conor Hamilton) and Garry (Karl Rice), now they have a band.
Helped by his brother Brendan (Jack Reynor), he keeps his mind off his parents and school by concentrating on trying to get the girl by putting together a great look and sound, followed by some promo videos. Can Connor/Cosmo lure Raphina away from her older boyfriend and into his arms?
There are some great performances from new actors in this film, which produces a feel-good movie with heart. I think Ferdia will be one to watch and Boynton, but for me, his brother stole the movie, Reynor encapsulated the essence of the theme of the movie. With a great soundtrack of both classic 80s tunes and original music (a soundtrack for Sing Street will be available when the movie hits cinemas), this little gem deserves to punch above its weight in among the blockbuster superhero movies of the moment.