A Fun Film With A Heart...And, Some Good Music

Rating: 7/10 (1 February 2017)

Being 57 years of age I'm hardly the target market of this film. But hey, since when does art have to be polarizing? It just needs to be good and have something one can connect to. Sing Street connects with the human spirit inhabiting us all.
Sing Street is about being young and dreaming out beyond what you know. That's pretty universal. Conor has a need to break out of his existence, not reckless rebellion, just to follow his muse which he decides will be music. Turns out he has some talent and is surrounded by some supporting friends who believe in him too. It provides a kind of release he's looking for because he's in a kind of depressing lot within the break-up of his parents and the stifling school and town he lives in. Of course there's a girl because why would you want to be in a band if not for that reason? The phrase "youth springs eternal" comes to mind and history has proved it to be a powerful catalyst for creativity and change and so it goes here.
This is a fine little movie. It is well done though certainly light. It's a bit fantastical to be sure and if one is going to dream isn't it best to take that path? Besides the fine production values for a modest film there's some seriously decent 80's music reflecting much of the times as well as, surprisingly, great original music made for the film. This is a fun and uplifting film for all. It might help to love music though it's certainly not required. Writer/director John Carney obviously birthed this one from the heart and it shows as there's hardly a false step. It's kind of like an indie version of "That Thing You Do" with a heart first and foremost. I hope this Dublin based production finds a larger audience as it certainly has merit and deserves to be seen. As of early 2017 it's available on several streaming sights so there's hope. Young Ferdia Walsh- Peelo as protagonist Conor deserves special praise as he's immediately likable and pulls the viewer in to story. Simply fun to watch which is a refreshing change from so many dark films of late.