SING STREET  3.5 ***        

   "Sing Street" (2016 release from Ireland; 105 min.) brings the story of Connor, a 15 yr. old boy. As the movie opens, we are reminded that this is "Dublin 1985", and we see Connor strumming the guitar in his bedroom. At dinner time, Connor’s parents inform him and his older brother and younger sister that Connor is being transferred to a Catholic school to save money. Connor has a hard time adjusting to the new school environment and is bullied by another boy and harshly treated by the Catholic Priest who is the Headmaster. Then one day, Connor notices a beautiful 16 yr. old  girl across the street. He gathers all his courage and asks her to be in a video for his band. When she says "okay", Connor realizes that he needs to put together a band, on the double! At this point we're not even 15 minutes into the movie, but to tell you more might spoil your viewing experience, you'll just have to see for yourself how it all plays out.

Couple of comments: this is the latest music-related film from writer-producer-director John Carney  who did “Once” “Begin Again”. In fact, one can make the argument that "Sing Street" is the spiritual prequel to Once, as "Sing Street" looks at the life of 15 and 16 yr. olds as they are starting to make decisions for themselves and trying to make something of their lives. And what better motivation to start a band than to impress a girl!

Carney nails the musical landscape of the mid-80s in Ireland perfectly. "  When Connor struggles to recruit like-minded kids for his band (called Sing Street), he posts fliers in various locations, "Futurist Band Forming”. The band once formed is a delightful and talented group of outcasts like Connor.

While much of the movie is light-hearted, Director Carney does not forget to shed light on some darker aspects of Irish society (mass-migration to England; a stoner older brother who is a  college drop-out, and of course the role of religion (Catholic, specifically) in society). But in the end, it's all about the music. Carney co-wrote and co-plays on all the new songs with Gary Clark,  

The cast is solid, especially the leads: Ferdia Walsh-Peelo who plays Connor. He can be charming, kind, insecure but out-of-nowhere gutsy which is an accurate depiction of a blossoming musician.   Connor's older brother Brendan at first seems to be too wise for his age, but by the end of the film it all made sense, and Jack Reynor was a fine choice for that role. Lucy Boynton (Raphine) is great as the love interest and mysterious but troubled muse.  She delivers an emotional performance and probably looks the most natural in 80's fashion, although she didn't  convince me as a 16 year-old .. maybe 18.. On the other hand Walsh-Peelo (Connor) was only 15 when the movie was shot and he's got that boyish appearance.                       

This is a great story, it got  the laughs, cheers and tears in all the right places.  I would recommend it to everyone, especially those who love music and/or a fine story.  The movie generates sheer exuberance !!

Rated PG-13 for some occassional strong language,   bullying behavior, and teen smoking.

Clark