Starring: Ferdia Walsh-Peelo, Lucy Boynton, Jack Reynor, Aidan Gillen, Maria Doyle Kennedy
Sing Street
Director: John Carney
Rating: 4/5
John Carney is a director that I am a huge fan of and loved Once when it hit the big screen back in 2007 - yes, it was nearly a decade ago.
This week he is back in the director's chair as he returns to the musical/drama with Sing Street, a movie that has been winning over critics and audiences since it premiered at the Sundance Film Festival at the beginning of the year.
Sing Street takes us back to 1980s Dublin where an economic recession forces Conor out of his comfortable private school and into survival mode at the inner-city public school where the kids are rough and the teachers are rougher. He finds a glimmer of hope in the mysterious and über-cool Raphina, and with the aim of winning her heart, he invites her to star in his band's music videos.
She agrees, and now Conor must deliver what he's promised -calling himself 'Cosmo' and immersing himself in the vibrant rock music trends of the '80s, he forms a band with a few lads, and the group pours their hearts into writing lyrics and shooting videos.
Carney has delivered another gem of a film as Sing Street is a charming and warm-hearted film that will win you over from the word go. Not only is it a loving nostalgia fest to the eighties, but it is also a celebration of how music can bring people together and a fantastic coming of age tale.
Carney has a knack of discovering great new acting talents - we saw that with Once - and Ferdia Walsh-Peelo is another young star to keep an eye one. Walsh-Peelo makes his big screen debut as he takes on the central role of Cosmo in Sing Street.
It is an effortless performance from the young actor and you would think he had been doing this for years. There is an energy to his performance as he really captures the infectious spirit of rock and roll. There may be more experienced actors around him, but, for me, it is Ferdia who truly shines.
Sing Street is a movie that I have been looking forward to all year and it is a film that does not disappoint. It is a vibrant charming movie that is full of life and spirit - you really help but be swept along by it.
Carney mixes great dialogue, wonderful characters and some great humour with some fantastic musical numbers that celebrates the music from that era. It really is a trip down memory lane if you were a child of the eighties.
Sing Street is a movie that celebrates music and youth and it is set to be the feel-good film of the summer. So, if you are looking to get away from the big budget blockbusters, this is definitely a movie that you cannot afford to miss. A true joy from start to finish.
Sing Street is out now.