Rating of
3.5/4
Nostalgic Teen Musical
Unknown - wrote on 05/25/16
'Sing Street' is a work of pure emotion and raw talent. John Carney's followup to his incredible 'Once' and joyful 'Begin Again', sees the return of all his musical storytelling strengths. This time we follow the exploits of a teen wrestling with the usual angsty self-discovery as the result of woes in the home life, school, and romance. One may look at the plot and find it a commonality in the usual teen movie offerings - and they'd be right. However, despite often bordering on the edge of fluff, the film has a grounded setting and wonderful characters to reign it in. Carney brings his song writing insight to a high school level with the same passion as in films previous. I love how he shows us those relatable moments in life that inspire the characters to write their songs. It makes hearing these songs (in full) a much more enriching experience knowing that we've felt what these kids are feeling. The music is so on point for the 80's time period. And I'm not just referring to the British pop soundtrack of great hits. The original songs are the real standout. They fit the genres of the period perfectly and embody what this kid's music would sound like, given his many influences. Every time the band performs it is sheer nostalgic joy. They are a definite highlight. Story wise, I was invested in the lead characters. I liked the romantic relationship the best. These were the best moments. I also enjoyed the bond between our lead and his older brother. There's a hint of bittersweet conclusion to this in the finale, but it is sidelined by the romance. The ending hurried up and went too fast. The choices of the characters didn't make the most sense to me. I wasn't left on the high note that the final band performance a couple of scenes earlier had raised. It's more of a fantastical "happy" ending that I didn't favor. Some moments felt a bit superficial, and the supporting characters are almost forgotten about for most of the second half. Other than that, I certainly had a fun time. 'Sing Street' will bring out the good feelings in almost anyone.
