Movie Review: ‘Sing Street’

Zachary Nicholas, Staff Writer

Ever wanted to know what Dublin, Ireland was like in the mid 1980s? Probably not. Getting sick of coming of age films? Possibly. What if I told you a brilliant film director made a coming of age film set in 1980s Dublin, Ireland that was absolutely incredible? You would think I am insane. Well get ready you non-believer, because this film is going to ROCK your world. 

Sing Street is a musical that everyone and their mother should be watching. Seriously, go watch it right now. I can wait. Watched it? Great. Let’s get back to how mind-blowingly amazing this musical is. Sing Street follows a young Irish teenager, who moves schools after his parents fall under a financial burden. He ends up starting a band with his fellow classmates in order to impress a girl he fancies. 

The story is really brought to life by its cast. Ferdia Walsh-Peelo plays the titular Cosmo with charm. And Lucy Boynton gives yet another great performance within a musical film as Raphina. Far and away my favorite character has to be Brendan, Cosmo’s older brother. Brendan is a rockoholic, who knows just about everything there is to know about rock music. The other supporting characters all play their roles to perfection as well.

The setting of the 80s allows for the film to be very nostalgic. The clothing, the hair, and the makeup capture the 80s vibe. I loved watching my parents watch the film, as they felt like they were having flashbacks to their childhood. If you love or at least like some aspect of the 80s, you need to watch this film. 

Far and away, the highlight of the Sing Street is the soundtrack. It is one of the best film soundtracks I have heard in recent memory. The album features some old favorites(Hall and Oates, Duran Duran, The Cure), along with some original tracks. A rundown of each original song on the album can be found below. The originals are so catchy, so groovy, and have some truly relatable and beautiful lyrics. 

This movie is fun from beginning to end. The cast is phenomenal. The story is funny and heartfelt, as a great coming of age film should be.  I have been listening to the soundtrack since I first watched this film, and I do not think I will stop listening to the soundtrack for a very, very, very long time.