Filmology Rating: 3.66 out of 4

"Music - the science or art of ordering tones or sounds in succession, in combination, and in temporal relationships to produce a composition having unity and continuity"

Merriam-Webster Dictionary 

John Carney has become a master at understanding human relationships and using music to help show how our lives can have unity either created or destroyed.  With Sing Street, Carney brings us to 1985 Dublin where young Connor, played by Ferdia Walsh-Peelo, is struggling with his parents’ constant fighting, the lack of having money so he can go to a higher-class school, and, more importantly, how to impress girls.  The girl who has captured Connor’s attention is model Raphina, played by Lucy Boynton, who at first ignores the younger boy.  Connor, trying to get the girls attention, tells her that she should model in one of his band’s music videos.  Seeing how impressed he made Raphina, Connor quickly assembles a band to help win the affection of the up and coming model. 

I’m always a sucker for a good coming of age film and one that is influenced by music of the eighties for me, on paper, is a grand slam.  It’s hard to find a fault with Sing Street.  It has original music that is incredibly moving and intimate that you will have to listen to for days to come and characters that every person in the audience can relate to, from age ten to ninety nine.  One of my biggest compliments that I can give to the music for the film is the moment that the film was over I wanted to relisten to the entire soundtrack.  Not a single song in the film feels out of place or unnecessary.  The performances from the two leads are phenomenal, I found myself feeling anger and sadness at times for choices the characters make and to have both of those emotions come across in a performance from young actors is incredible.  Walsh-Peelo and Boynton deserve to have agents from the big studios outside waiting for them to sign them onto the next big blockbuster.

If you have ever had a crush, a dream, or listened to a song on the radio, then Sing Street is for you.  This film will make you remember a time where you thought anything was possible and you did everything you could to reach for the stars.  

Rating: See It 

-Jonny G

Ever see a movie that when it’s over, you just feel invigorated and full of hope? Well that is the feeling that Sing Street gives us. A story about a group of boys who form a band because one boy named Conor was trying to impress a girl. He then finds some other boys who go to his school who also want to become someone different and escape their realities. One thing leads to another and soon a band and real friendships start to form. I very rarely ever say that a movie is near perfection but this movie just might be it…. Everything from the writing and directing, the amazing performances of these young kids, and to the ideas and themes that take hold in the film was all fantastic.

This is possibly one of the best coming of age movies that I have ever seen. Sing Street deals with hard issues that many kids will go through. These issues being with moving to a new school, getting bullied, family parental issues and divorce, struggling to find oneself, falling in love and getting your heart broken, and pursing your dreams. Every single one of these was portrayed so beautifully and really nailed the emotion from each one of these themes. These were all things that I, along with most of you as well, can relate to in one way or another. Because of this, I feel like it allows the viewer to connect to the characters on an emotional level that only makes you care for them more and more along with the movie.

Most of the young actors in this movie have never starred in anything before. Some of the older characters you might recognize but most of the main characters are unknowns but man oh man were they brilliant. When dealing with those difficult emotions and themes that I discussed, each one of them portrayed them perfectly. I really hope that these kids will continue to pursue acting because I see a bright future ahead of them if they do continue. Each one of them had a brilliant lines and dialogue that allowed them to form a chemistry and a friendship that you can believe; a chemistry that was also shown through the music the band played as well. Sing Street could almost be categorized as a musical. A musical to me is a film that speak volumes through the songs, lyrics, and feeling it gives off. Each one of the songs that the band wrote portrayed the themes and emotions that the kids were feeling. I loved the music and for sure will be getting the soundtrack.

I cannot say enough good things about this movie and if you go see it, I promise you will not be disappointed!

Rating: See It

-Nick