by Jon Partridge
With his previous films Once and Begin Again, writer/director John Carney showed his aptitude for blending narrative with his love of music. His latest, Sing Street, marks a new high, not just for himself but the genre in general. This charming and heartfelt effort further refines his formula and couples it to an ’80s, setting resulting in one of the most charming films this year.
Sing Street charts the travails of young Conor (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo), a boy taken out of private education and sent to a local Catholic school as his parents endure relationship and financial woes in 1980s Dublin. While adjusting to the harsh realities of his new school, he comes across (supposed) model Raphina (Lucy Boynton). Enamored, he gains her phone number by inviting her to star in his band’s music videos. However, this requires him to actually have a band, so Conor goes about recruiting other school outcasts to join him. With guidance from his older brother Brendan (Jack Reynor) and drawing inspiration from the trending bands of the time, their artistic sides take hold and they begin truly collaborating on writing and performing their songs as Conor and Raphina’s relationship continues to develop.
Sing Street is a wonderfully told tale of love and hope, a coming of age tale of sorts where a growing passion in a young man drives his talent and maturity. Conor is surrounded by a disintegrating family, brutish teachers, and bullies, but in spite of this ploughs his own course. There’s something very affirming about his journey, reinforced by his encounter with Raphina setting him on his course. There are many aspects of the film that fuel nostalgia, but the story is told with such a personal quality it feels much more than that.
This isn’t just a film with the occasional musical number. Music drives the whole endeavor. It permeates every aspect of the film, reflecting the changes in the characters as it progresses as well as pushing them onward. Inspiration for original music comes from Duran Duran, Hall and Oates, The Clash, The Cure, Spandau Ballet, and more. It’s both an incredibly entertaining and impressively constructed feat. The film could easily have teetered into being grating or smug, but it always mains a authentic, affable air. It has a down to Earth quality with the occasional magical moment, notably a wonderful prom sequence that plays out in Conor’s imagination that will go down as one of the most charming things you’ll see on screen all year.
Every aspect of the film looks and feels the part; it’s a a vision of the ’80s that is pitch perfect. The cast are all relative unknowns, but the end product is still magical thanks to the writing and their genuine performances. Walsh-Peelo is impressive in what is apparently his first role, a natural, empathetic soul. Lucy Boynton also stands out as Raphina, but it’s Jack Reynor as Conor’s brother Brendan who really makes a mark. A contrast to his younger brother whose dreams have already seemingly been dashed, Brendan is a warning tale, a ball of anger, and has sardonic humor that helps propel his little brother to greater things. It’s a film as much about brotherly love as it is about the more amorous sort, and Reynor is key to making this work.
At one point in Sing Street, Conor refers to the music of The Cure as “happy sad.” The same sentiment extends to Carney’s latest. There is a sad, melancholic streak in the film connecting to the lead’s home life and indeed the lives of many in the school and Ireland at the time. But through the music and the bonds formed with friends and family, the happy comes in to counter the sad. The melancholy helps frame the more joyous moments in the film wonderfully as we follow these young, naive, and perhaps a little misguided kids throwing themselves into their music.
THE PACKAGEThe picture quality on this release is of average quality. Detail and color levels are good as is contrast, but overall it’s it lacks the sharpness you’d expect from a newly made film, shot on digital. In a way, it lends itself to the ’80s aesthetic.
Special features include Cast Auditions, which is exactly as it sounds, showing anything from a few seconds to a few minutes of test footage for the main cast. Making Sing Street looks at how the story draws from Carney’s own past and aspirations to be involved in music. Writer/Director John Carney & Adam Levine Talk Sing Street explores the balance between the story and musical content within the film as well as the production design. Each of these runs less than 5 minutes and are far too fleeting to offer anything substantial to a viewer’s appreciation of the film. Disappointing. A code for a digital copy is included.
THE BOTTOM LINEWhile the extras on this release are underwhelming, the quality of the film itself redeems it. Sing Street charmingly blends an appreciation of ’80s culture and music with themes of family dynamics, love, friendship, and a little rebellion thrown in for good measure. One of the most delightful releases of the year.
Sing Street arrives on Blu-ray, DVD, Digital HD and On Demand on July 26 from Anchor Bay Entertainment.