Rent Sing Street (2016)

Entertaining - Sing Street review by JH

Here is a non-grumpy review. This is a gentle, feel-good film that packs no surprises. Music fitted the theme--nothing to take exception to. Just don't over-think this one, and you'll enjoy it.

Utter bilge - Sing Street review by CK

A reasonably promising start, but deteriorates as it progresses and is abysmal by the end. The supposedly 80s alternative inspired music sounds like it was written by a boy band's songwriter (mid 80s Dublin and no character mentions U2 - really?) Not recommended if you're a grumpy middle-aged person (like me)

Twee romantic fantasy with 80s music - Sing Street review by PV

This is one of those films that would never be made if it didn't get state funding (from Irish govt this time).

It's a deeply twee and sentimental romantic story - like one of those wish fulfilment photo stories from Jackie magazine in the 80s!

The plot (let's put a band together) is pure 'Commitments' - a sort of junior 1980s version. The minor characters derivative (the oddball musical guy with rabbits is a copy of the guy in the 1970s Liver Birds). Of course there is the token black too - but lovely to see him playing a Roland Juno 6 (like the one I bought in 1985 + sold 5 years ago for more than I bought it for as they're still a classic and popular).

Knowing 80s music SO well, I also found myself constantly annoyed by this movie. The Top of the Pops clips (eg Duran Duran) are 1980/3. At the time, they were a girls' band and no boys liked them, by the way (so why the elder brother music expert here does is a mystery).

Then the main character sings A-Ha's Take on Me (from 1985/6), and we have music from the late 70s too (M) and reference to Adam and the Ants (1981), plus Hall and Oates (1985). As a teenager at the time I notice these errors as I did in TV series Ashes to Ashes. Though I understand it - to limit oneself to 1983 and before means missing out A-Ha and others!

Which brings us to the music - as in, the original music the ever-changing fashion-influenced band of kids (which is way too good but I suppose has to be). It's so derivative and mediocre too - always an issue with films that feature pretend pop stars and pretend bands (the music is never good enough).

The Christian Brothers subplot is clumsy in this; the school bully one works much better. Various social issues plots are two-dimensional and simplistic JUST as they would be in one of those photo-stories from Jackie magazine which is what this really is (and the ending is absurd too).

This is pure romantic fantasy. Mills and Boon for teenage Irish girls, I suppose. Can't see many teen boys liking this soppy tale much.

So all in all, maybe one strictly for teen girls only? 2 stars. No more.