Sundance 2016 Movie Review: “Sing Street” is a smile-inducing gem!

SUNDANCE 2016 MOVIE REVIEW: SING STREET (PG-13)

Photos by John Pugh and Shayne Cullen
Video by John Pugh

Director John Carney may not be a household name, but there is no doubt that this wonderful storyteller knows how to construct a musical. “Once” was a charming, earnest gem of a movie in which the music was an organic part of the plot. This is to say that “Once” was about the songs and the characters performing them, but the songs themselves also happened to be telling the story. With “Sing Street,” a film that is as lovable as it is humble, Carney scores again.

“Sing Street” takes place in Dublin in 1985, a time when fashion was king and music videos were really starting to come into their own. The film follows likable teen Cosmo (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo) as he tries to make sense of his parent’s pending divorce and life at a new school. Things begin to look up when Cosmo meets cute Raphina (Lucy Boynton). Sheepishly, he asks his potential soul mate  to appear in his band’s music video, but there’s one small problem: Cosmo isn’t actually in a band. After Raphina accepts his offer, our affable lead quickly rounds up a couple of musicians at school and enlists the aid of his older, more musically astute brother, Brendan (Jack Reynor). Together they undertake a creative endeavor so that Cosmo might ultimately rise up against his oppressors at school and more importantly, win over the girl of his dreams.

Carney has assembled a cast comprising mostly newcomers. Sixteen-year-old Ferdia Walsh-Peelo is terrific here, bringing oodles of charm to the role of Cosmo. While this lively teen is a bit of an outcast and isn’t beyond being picked on by the school bully, he also isn’t without his fair share of confidence. Peelo is a natural for the role, and what’s more, he performs all his own tunes. Boynton is terrific as Raphina, a pretty and confident but slightly confused muse who finds herself drawn to Cosmo’s earnest sensibilities.

“Sing Street” is populated by a solid supporting cast including Mark McKenna and Aiden Gillan, but it’s Jack Reynor who steals the majority of the scenes he’s in as Cosmo’s loving, all-wise, slacker of a brother, Brendan. Reynor is just a joy and has charisma and charm to spare.

As was the case with “Once,” Carney shows a true understanding of the modern musical. He’s undeniably creative in the way that he uses a musical number to accentuate a scene, and he’s equally gifted when it comes to putting you in the mindset of his characters. Look no further than an infectiously likable fantasy sequence in which a “Back to the Future”-loving Cosmo rehearses a ’50s-inspired prom-set musical number and imagines that all his many real life problems are solved. It’s a magical, smile-inducing sequence in a picture full of magical, smile-inducing sequences.

The music in this picture is as joyful and affectionate as the movie itself. “Sing Street” features a plethora of popular ’80s tunes from the likes of The Jam, The Cure, and Duran Duran, but it’s Carney’s original numbers — ones inspired by the aforementioned bands — that are enough to make the ’80s music lover inside grin from ear to ear. And further props to “Once” star Glen Hansard for his heartfelt “Sing Street” closer.

“Sing Street” is a smile-inducing motion picture experience. If you’re a fan of the ’80s, you’re sure to warm up to this undeniably winning musical, but even if this era isn’t your bag, you’re sure to relate to this movie’s central character. We’ve all had dreams at some point in our lives, and in “Sing Street,” a determined Cosmo will do everything he can to obtain those dreams through the magical power of music.

*BONUS VIDEO