Every now and then a movie comes along that tugs at your heartstrings, making you rethink your entire life– and Sing Street (2016) is just that Film. Directed by John Carney, this film is sure to make you “happy/sad,” an emotion referred to by the main Character. The movie is set in the grim streets of Dublin, Ireland during the economic crisis of the 80’s. Cosmo (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo), a nickname given to the main character, is a fourteen-year-old boy who has to transfer to a new school due to financial issues. It is here where we see scenes of bullying all too reminiscent of days in middle school, for some of us. Cosmo starts out feeling a bit defeated about his new situation, until he notices a beautiful girl standing on the steps outside of school one day named Raphina (Lucy Boynton). After telling him that she is a model, he then comes up with an extravagant lie of being the lead singer in a band as an excuse for her number. Enter six rough Irish boys, a tyrant headmaster, some rock ‘n roll, and a hit is created.

Something that makes this film stand out from others of its genre is how close the characters’ lives parallel reality. Cosmo belongs to a broken home where he listens to his parents fight all night long, which is something a lot of us can relate to. It is in the mother, though, that we see love expressed from the children. There is a very touching scene where Cosmo and his brother, Brendan (Jack Reynor), are watching as their mother (Maria Doyle Kennedy) sits outside in the sun after work. Brendan mentions that she always drops hints to their father about wanting to take a trip to Spain, however he never does and so the sun on her porch step is what she must settle for. This is a very interesting parent-child Relationship in the film because while we don’t really know in depth the parents’ history, we can see how their disintegrating relationship affects the children. Here is the moment the main character realizes just exactly what he doesn’t want to settle for in his life; he doesn’t want an Irish afternoon when he could be in the Spanish light, so to speak.

It is very curious to me, though, why Cosmo only tells the mother when he leaves that he loves her and not his father as well. This scene is such a stunning representation of the moment a boy becomes a man and realizes that sometimes, the parents don’t have it all figured out either. In contrast, Brendan becomes Cosmo’s father-figure and is a wild voice of guidance throughout the film. The relationship between Cosmo and Brendan is seen as background for the relationship between Raphina and Cosmo, however, there are a number of different complexities that make this one far more interesting in comparison. Throughout the film, the brother is mentioned as a college dropout with no future, and yet Cosmo looks up to him more than anyone else. At the same time, Brendan is looking at his younger brother as a role model for change in his own life– an aspect of the relationship that isn’t revealed to us until later. In fact, at the end of the film, the words flash upon the screen, “dedicated to all brothers,” which makes the audience realize how significant the relationship really was in the film.

In contrast, the connection that Cosmo forms with Raphina is one that we have seen time after time in the films: the outcast falls in love with the beautiful and misunderstood girl, and he then works hard for her attention but also finds himself in the end. However, in Sing Street, I didn’t find myself rolling my eyes at this relationship because Raphina is a character that is deeply kind young woman, and who needs Cosmo’s help just as much as he needs her’s. It is in their friendship that I find an appreciation for this female lead where in other films I find her as a simple, beautifully done prop. So much inspiration comes from this character and she shows a real sense of depth behind her stunning features. It was refreshing to see a female character as this one truly light up the screen and not just be some underdeveloped plot point. This romance between two strong characters really makes the audience root for not only his success, but their success together. It is powerful to see such a pure type of love come from friendship and true respect, as opposed to the usually shallow physical attraction.

Granted, Cosmo’s original interest in Raphine stemmed from her beauty. This is something that I almost wish had been different. To me, this character would have had a greater impact if her beauty weren’t so striking, but rather grew as we got to know her. There was a lot of natural beauty that we get to see in certain scenes where she is alone, but Raphine often covers it in overly-done make-up that makes her a quick fix for the eye. It made me sad a bit to see how much Cosmo falls in love with her physical beauty first, but I suppose women like these are characteristic in music. However, Raphina really does stand out in her character because she turns out to be more than just a figure, but rather a muse for herself and Cosmo. She shows strength equal to her weakness, and this is important in a character such as this one.

There are a variety of different shots used to convey the dynamic between Cosmo’s various relationships. One of the most noticeable ones is the angles used to view the parents. Often in scenes featuring his family, the parents are seated lower than the children. For example, in the first scene when his mother and father tell Cosmo that he has to transfer schools, the mother is sitting down and the father appears smaller in the background while Cosmo is standing and facing them. The use of this angle is to demonstrate the power dynamic in a relationship where the child has to become responsible for his own destiny. Similarly, Brendan is also often shot from a high angle or he is featured smaller in the background. Despite being such a pivotal character, the brother is featured this way in order to show weakness, which is something we wouldn’t naturally pick up on due to his strong personality.

Brendan’s attributes, as well as the other characters in the film, is phenomenally played by the actors. Most of the cast are unknown, which was something that Carney wanted. These unknown actors are refreshing on the screen and really allow us to understand the character without comparing it to the entire filmography behind the actor. Sing Street is loosely biographical (not only is John Carney the director, but he is also the writer), and Carney is well-known for his films that express the connection music creates between people.

One of the best aspects of the film was, of course, the music that was featured. In addition to playing some of the best 80’s rock, the movie also features music from lesser known artists such as Hudson Thames, who sings one of the most popular songs from the movie, “Drive it Like you Stole it.” These catchy tunes really help the movie to progress nicely, and it is fascinating as a viewer to see where the characters supposedly get their inspiration for the lyrics. Most of the music has a classic 80’s feel to it, but even so they are songs that would probably have potential in today’s music market. The lyrics are unique and the actual melodies sound almost hopeful. It was nice to hear what these young characters came up with and the inspiring way they used their talent not only to help themselves but others.

In Sing Street, we get to see a classic underdog story, with a nice musical spin. While the plot of this film definitely had the potential to be cliche, the writers did an exceptional job of writing characters that made us fall in love and feel hope for the future. It is powerful to see a film such as this one because I think it has the potential to stir the souls of many viewers.

Current Music: Sing Street Soundtrack, obviously.