Great Irish based musical comedy set in the eighties

Rating: 8/10 (25 August 2016)

It is the eighties, with fashion that made you cringe and swoon for and music that will stay forever – mostly. Connor is being taught by The Jesuits in Dublin but his father 0- Aiden Gillen – is having financial problems and so needs to make some cutbacks. The first victim is Connor who gets sent to the rather dilapidated Synge Street school run by The Christian Brothers – he is not best pleased.
On arrival he enters a world of strident teachers, bullies and a strange show policy. He also meets Raphina – and is immediately smitten. She is an aspiring model and so he decides to get her to be in his bands pop video. Problem number one is he does not have a band – so he sets about pulling one together.
This is a wonderful film from start to finish, the actors are all perfect in their roles and the writing and direction for John Carney ('Begin Again' and 'Once') are superb. Plus you get some great fashions, great songs and even some brilliantly bad videos. This is a film that will brighten your day, make you laugh and affirm your faith in humanity – absolutely one hundred percent recommended.