Sing Street (2016)
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A teenage boy in 1980s Dublin forms a band to impress a girl he is smitten with.
The story
In 1985, 15-year-old Conor Lalor lives in inner-city South Dublin with his parents, Robert and Penny, and two older siblings. Due to constant arguing at home and recent financial difficulties, Conor is transferred from his private school to Synge Street, a public Christian Brothers school. While struggling with the stern principal, Conor becomes smitten with Raphina, an aspiring model. In an effort to impress her, he decides to form a band, recruits several friends, and begins writing original songs. The group, named Sing Street, begins practicing in a friend's living room as they attempt to develop their own unique style.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In 1985, 15-year-old Conor Lalor lives in inner-city South Dublin with his parents, Robert and Penny, and two older siblings, Brendan and Ann. Since his parents constantly argue, Conor writes music as a way to cope with his troubled home life. Due to recent financial difficulties, Robert and Penny announce that Conor will be transferred from his private school to Synge Street, a public Christian Brothers school. On his first day, Conor is reprimanded by the stern principal, Brother Baxter, for not wearing mandatory black shoes. After painting his brown shoes black, Conor meets a bully named Barry and a budding entrepreneur named Darren. Conor becomes smitten with Raphina, an aspiring model. To impress her, he forms a band called Sing Street with Darren, Eamon, Ngig, Larry, and Garry. They begin practicing and writing original songs. Raphina eventually tells Conor she plans to leave for London with her boyfriend, Evan. After a period of growing closer and filming music videos, Raphina leaves for London, only to be abandoned by Evan. She returns to Dublin, and Conor initially distances himself. An opportunity to play at a school dance arises; Conor offers Baxter the chance to be a roadie. At the dance, the band performs a new song mocking bullies, and Raphina arrives to watch. They reconcile, and the three eventually travel to London in a motor cruiser to start a new life, while Brendan watches them leave from the harbor.
- First release year
- 2016
- Runtime (minutes)
- 106
- Production countries
- Ireland; United Kingdom; United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- John Carney
- Writers
- John Carney · screenplay; John Carney · story; Simon Carmody · story
- Cast and characters
- Lucy Boynton · null; Maria Doyle Kennedy · null; Aidan Gillen · Conor's father; Jack Reynor · Conor's brother; Kelly Thornton · null; Ferdia Walsh-Peelo · null
- Genres
- coming-of-age; musical; comedy; drama
- Themes
- coming-of-age; family dysfunction; musical ambition; romance
- Tone and mood
- feel-good; optimistic; bittersweet; lyrical
- Premise and plot tags
- musical; romance; teen; comedy-drama; semi-autobiographical
- Reception
- The film received positive reviews from critics, holding a 95% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 79 out of 100 on Metacritic. It was described as a feel-good musical with heart and optimism.
- Reported review scores
- PostTrak · score: 96%
- Production trivia
- The film is a semi-autobiographical depiction of John Carney's upbringing in Dublin.; The namesake school, Synge Street CBS, was used as a shooting location.; The film features music from the Cure, a-ha, Duran Duran, the Clash, Hall & Oates, Spandau Ballet, the Blades and the Jam.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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