A few too many "mysteries," but still a cute and rewarding film

Rating: 7/10 (30 December 2016)

I like this movie, and I'm glad I watched it with my family (spouse & teen-to-young-adult kids). On a rainy day, it beat splashing our way to the multiplex to catch the latest mass-market whatever.
However, it fell short of excellence, partly because of some plot mysteries (see below) and partly because the lead character isn't fully engaging and believable. He seems to have a slightly flat affect, showing very little excitement in scenes where his character has things to be excited about. That results in less emotional urgency. Also, I was left wondering whether he was naturally creative, in terms of writing lyrics and such, or whether he suddenly transformed into that type of person just to try to win the beauty's heart.
Among the mysteries (I don't think any of these would count as spoilers):
* When he's forming the band, a couple of guys who competently play the instruments he needs in the band just happen to appear.
* As the band develops, the members start wearing period "costume" clothing (such as the hats popular among pop stars in those days), but they're an indigent lot, and there's no telling how any of them could afford this.
* A motorboat gets driven around multiple times, with no indication of how fuel is obtained for it.
* When the lead character makes odd and cutting remarks toward a bully, the bully doesn't do what a bully would normally do.
* Well into the school year, an elderly teacher not only lacks any control over his students, but apparently doesn't even know what subject he's teaching.
Quibbles, I guess, but there are enough of them to make the viewer uncertain that such a tale is believable.
Despite that, I did (as I wrote earlier) like the movie. As someone who was heavily into '80s music, I enjoyed most of the soundtrack cuts. And some of the supporting characters add flavor well. So - see it, but don't expect the production to be more polished than the teenagers' band.