Sing Street: Singing Out Loud

​Director John Carney (Once and Begin Again) returns to his musical roots fueling the audience with '80s pop vibes. Sing Street will slap a smile on your face while singing its heart out, it’s one of the best films of 2016. 

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It's the '80s, The Beatles are history and in Brendan Lalor's own words, "No woman can truly love a man who listens to Phil Collins." Sing Street is a feel-good optimist that sends out musical vibes to this generation and brings them back to Dublin in the ‘80s. Probably one of the best soundtracks you’ll here this year, Sing Street fuels your bones with musical ecstasy. Original music by the band Sing Street was composed by writer/director John Carney, ‘80s veteran composer Gary Clark and Adam Levine. All of them pour passion and tribute to the ‘80s in a very nostalgic way.

Sing Street is also upheld by a fantastic cast consisting of Ferdia Walsh-Peelo, Lucy Boynton, Jack Reynor, Ben Carolan, Mark McKenna, Percy Chamburuka, Conor Hamilton, Karl Rice and Ian Kenny. I’m a sucker when it comes to Carney films, he grabs me in with his upbeat musical tunes. Once will always be my favorite of his. It’s a film so captivating you’ll have to watch it over and over again just like listening to a record. Once showed the audience a blend of love and music back in 2007. In 2014, Begin Again was a charming film of music escapism. While it didn’t hit the high notes as Once, nevertheless, Mark Ruffalo and Keira Knightley’s duo was irresistible.

Now, fast-forward to 2016 where Carney releases his third feature film and again it’s about musical escapism. Sing Street takes us back to 1980s Dublin seen through the eyes of a boy named Conor (a very talented Walsh-Peelo) who is looking for a break from a home strained by his parents' relationship and their money troubles. Conor is also trying to adjust to his new inner-city public school with rough and tough students and teachers. But Conor finds his silver lining in the mysterious and beautiful Raphina (A wonderful Boynton). Trying to win her heart over Conor invites her to star in his band's music videos, but there’s a problem: he's not part of a band … yet.

Raphina agree so Conor must find himself a band fast and begin his teen music career. After Conor finds his lads, he also immerses himself in the vibrant rock music trends of the decade and the group pours their heart into writing lyrics and shooting music videos. Sing Street is hip and cool and his have you dancing down the streets by the end of the film. In a world full of music, Carney grabs you from the chaos and puts you in the spotlight. You’ll laugh, you’ll cheer and most importantly you’ll sing you heart out! The score also features famous bands like The Cure, A-ha, Duran Duran, The Clash, Hall & Oates, Spandau Ballet and The Jam.

​This movie is irresistible from beginning until end. It deserves recognition and needs to be seen by music lovers everywhere. Sing Street hits the high notes and shows us Carney’s ability to craft his greatest hits album and I can’t wait to listen too its sweet tune again. Sing Street revives your feelings for the spirit of rock ‘n’ roll and sends tunes throughout the theater. Conor and his lads are futurist living in a dog-eat-dog world and they’re only survival is to continue writing and playing music. At last, “Boy meets girl, girl unimpressed, boy starts band” … fill in the rest. 

Sing Street is rated PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned) For thematic elements including strong language and some bullying behavior, a suggestive image, drug material and teen smoking.