Sing Street
The Weinstein Company, Lionsgate
In my essay “Chazelle, Carney, and the Modern Movie Musical,” I mentioned this film and urged everyone to see it. As I prophesized “Sing Street” has become a beloved foreign darling in the awards circuit, already getting nominated this year for a Golden Globe. John Carney’s take on life in 1980s Ireland, amongst the poverty and political strife of that era, could not be more heart wrenching and entertaining. Carney not only shows us his childhood, and the common trope of the poverty stricken Irish family, but does so through a medium he knows all too well: the movie musical.
The story follows a family of three dealing with familial issues and economic inequality in 1985 Dublin. The youngest, Conor, has to transfer to a religious school to save the family money, and he comes across an older girl named Raphina (Boynton). To impress her he claims to be in a band that needs a model for a video they are shooting, and from there the plot rolls out fairly quickly. Conor finds himself gravitating towards the music his brother gives him, all the while writing songs about his crush and making friends with his new bandmates and manager. In essence this film is about growing up, and how that can be complicated by love, grand illusions, and family conflict. Coming of age stories are always enjoyable, because they center on freedom and outward expression, which are the most thrilling aspects of life. The film is also well balanced, as it flits between the obvious issues of Conor’s home life and the future he sees for himself as a musician.
As with Carney’s films “Once” and “Begin Again,” the music in this film is spine tingling and just plain good. If you don’t know that much about eighties music, you need not fear. The inspiration behind bands such as Depeche Mode, Duran Duran, and The Cure are explained, unpacked, and rehashed by the Sing Street band in a truly inspiring ode to Carney’s teenaged generation. Besides being a spot on example of these bands’ work, the music is simply great for what it is. Songs like “The Riddle of the Model,” and “Girls,” will be stuck in your head for days, and “Drive It Like You Stole It,” and “Brown Shoes,” will pump you up every time. Honestly, if there isn’t a single Original Song nomination from the Academy, I wouldn’t exactly be surprised, but I would still be angry. This film knows how to draw you in with its sweet characters, but keeps you hooked with its rocking beats and surefire brand of juvenile love.
This isn’t just a film for teens and young adults, but one that will appeal to your inner child, or inner rebel. Life is but a series of steps, and this particular one is its own minefield. Carney beckons back to a time that should have been innocent for kids, but was in actuality a crapshoot for all of Ireland. Expressing history from the people’s perspective, Carney shows that while many didn’t have silver linings, some had the joy of music.
