Sing Street - Movie Review

Given that this is the year that I finally got on-board with the Hamilton craze, a new personal bar has been set for musicals. That being said, Sing Street excels as a musical, and as a touching coming-of-age story. I was surprised by how sucked into the story that I got, and how easy it is to identify with the characters and the story. Stories that take place in high school generally lost their shine for me after I left high school, but because the actors and characters are so charming the whole way through, I really got invested in the story being told. This is one of the most infectiously energetic films of the year, and I had a smile on my face for almost the entire run-time.

The historical context of the film is a key part of its identity. Because so many Irish immigrants were moving to England looking for work in the 1980s, the schoolkids that we follow feel disenfranchised and trapped, and they're looking for a distraction from frustrating, stalled lives. We follow Conor (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo), who transfers to a new school after his parents can no longer afford his previous school. After an encounter with Raphina (Lucy Boynton) - a fellow student and a model - Conor forms a band so that he can impress her and make her a part of their music videos. Conor assembles a group of his classmates and forms Sing Street, who go on to create a number of songs that Conor writes, inspired by Raphina.

Like many musicals, this film frames the main conflict and music around the focal point of a love story. Initially, that made me a bit nervous, but the connection between the two characters really worked, and the chemistry that the two actors have is a solid emotional core that drives the film forward. Because of where the characters are in their respective lives, the conflicts that arise between them make total sense, and the unclear outcome of their relationship makes the resolution of the story seem like it could go any number of ways. It's a love story that's very easy to root for, and even though Conor's relationships with his band-mates and family aren't as fleshed out, those relatonships aren't the point of the film.

Obviously, the music is a very important part of any musical, and the original songs that the band produce are all very catchy. The film taps into a sound that I love; one of my favourite musical eras is the 80s, and as the band's music evolves, they move through a few styles from that time. Through the songs they create, Sing Street takes inspiration from a number of 80s bands. This evolution comes as Conor learns how various styles of music operate from his music-obsessed brother Brendan (Jack Reynor). Reynor gives the best performance I've ever seen from him, especially in contrast with Transformers: Age of Extinction. Conor's home life well was one of the most important aspects of his character because of how tumultuous it is; it's the clearest indicator of  the escape that Conor seeks. The relationship between the two brothers feels authentic, and never leans too far in an antagonistic direction, which it easily could have given Brendan's character.

The only (semi) complaint that I have about this film is that the majority of characters aren't really that well established. The supporting cast are very much just supports, because the point of the film is Conor's journey above all else. At the same time, because Sing Street is very much Conor's story, not every other character needs to be fully three-dimensional. All of the actors play kids very realistically and convincingly, and do a great job for being as young as they are (which is usually a death sentence for movies). Even though a few of them do fall into stereotypes, they were all charming and likeable, and while there are a few that can only be described as being "also there", the group dynamic is very fun. Since most of the drama is left in Conor's relationship with Raphina, the band-mates always get along, and that makes the friendship between them feel all the more real.

There's never a moment where the band splits up and has an argument, or different members want different things and that creates conflict, the band just functions together and wants to create music. Sing Street feels like a fun thing that friends are doing together, and while it's not really the main plot of the film, it is the stylistic backbone. How the songs are created, incorporated into the story, and even just how the boys create the videos is a lot of fun to watch unfold. Seeing the early creative process for the videos, as well as where they drew influence from, really struck a chord with me, and I think that anyone who's created something like that with their friends at a young age will find something to identify with in this film. The only character who doesn't quite work is a very one-note bully, but the film even manages to bring out his charming side later in the story.

This film feels like it's always moving, and there's such a distinct energy at its core. The characters are generally upbeat together, and even when they hit the few low points, it makes the high points hit that much harder. The segments with the songs are definitely the best, and it all leads up to a musical climax that delivers a resounding feeling of happiness and victory. The actual ending, which happens afterwards, rides that wave to a very triumphant close. While it doesn't exactly provide closure, it was very fitting to the tone of the story. In this film, every element is used to the perfect degree. While more details could be given to the characters or in establishing the time period, that might prevent the story from running as smoothly as it does. The time period being a muted background for the story rather than it being beaten over the audience's head was the best way to tell this story, and leaving the majority of characters simple makes the story more concise and focused.

Sing Street is just a good time. As generic of a description as that seems like, the film just left me with a really positive feeling when it was over. The impact that a film leaves on you can be one of the most important parts of a viewing experience, and this movie just put me in a good mood. It did that very early on, and never lost its touch. As musicals go, it stands out as one of the better ones I've seen lately, with a series of songs that I'll be listening to for quite a while. Had this film just been a jukebox musical, it still would have been pretty good, but the fact that the original music is so good elevates it to a much higher level. This film is a showcase for some incredibly talented, young Irish actors, and enough subtle period detail that the story feels pretty timeless (except for the direct references to the 80s, of which there are only a few). A timeless story, superb music, impressive performances, and an engaging love story? Sing Street has it all, and it never falters in any area.