Sing Street

Directed by John Carney, Sing Street follows an awkward teenager (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo’s Conor) as he decides to start a band in an attempt at impressing his crush (Lucy Boynton’s Raphina). It’s appealing subject matter that’s employed to perpetually watchable (and thoroughly agreeable) effect by Carney, as the filmmaker, armed with his own screenplay, delivers a fun, energetic endeavor that benefits substantially from its catchy songs and raft of charming performances – with, in terms of the latter, both Walsh-Peelo and Boynton offering up engaging work that’s heightened by their obvious chemistry with one another. There’s little doubt, as well, that Sing Street‘s increasingly absorbing vibe is due in no small part to its entertaining emphasis on the ups and downs of Conor’s band, as well as the periodic inclusion of feel-good digressions (eg a musical number within a high-school auditorium), and it’s clear, too, that the picture builds towards a tremendously satisfying (and rather moving) final stretch – which does, in the end, confirm the whole thing’s place as an almost typically top-notch effort from Carney.

***1/2 out of ****