Creativity: it’s a force that’s both exhilarating and mystifying. It’s that rush of ideas, the thrill of brainstorming, and the satisfaction of innovative problem-solving. But creativity isn’t confined to artistic pursuits like music, writing, or painting. It permeates how we approach life itself. Are you one to seek the easiest route, or do you persevere through challenges? Do you embrace the unconventional, or strive for universal appeal? Sing Street, a movie set in 1980s Dublin, beautifully explores this expansive notion of creativity, delivering a film that’s utterly charming and genuinely irresistible.
We are introduced to Conor Lalor (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo), living with his family in a comfortable Dublin home overlooking the city. However, financial difficulties force Conor to leave his private Jesuit school and enroll in the local public school. Initially, his new school is a harsh environment. Bullies target him, classmates jeer, and the stern principal, Father Baxter (Brian Gleeson), is unforgiving. Conor finds refuge in the new wave music videos he watches with his older brother Brendan (Jack Reynor). But everything shifts when he encounters the enigmatic and captivating Raphina (Lucy Boynton) outside the school gates. To impress her, Conor impulsively asks her to star in his music video. She agrees, setting in motion a series of events that lead to one thing: starting a band.
Conor quickly gathers a group of fellow outcasts to form his fledgling band. Among them is the remarkably talented Eamon (Ben Carolan), a multi-instrumentalist who becomes instrumental in turning Conor’s lyrics into songs. The creative synergy between Conor and Eamon is a central highlight of the movie. The film beautifully captures those late-night moments of uninhibited creative flow, as they refine melodies, debate song meanings, and inspire each other. Eamon’s father, a bandleader himself, provides the band with a practice space and instruments, nurturing their developing sound and camaraderie.
For Conor, the band becomes more than just a way to impress Raphina; it’s an escape from an increasingly strained home life. His parents’ marriage (Maria Doyle Kennedy and Aidan Gillen) is crumbling, while his older brother Brendan, a college dropout, embodies cynicism and unrealized potential, spending his days smoking and offering sardonic commentary. In a poignant scene, Brendan gestures to their mother, sitting outside, smoking and yearning for a moment of sunshine, dreaming of a Paris escape that feels increasingly distant. “I cleared a path for you,” Brendan laments, revealing his own sense of defeat. His vast vinyl collection and critical observations inadvertently serve as a catalyst for Conor’s bold ambitions.
It’s Raphina, however, who truly pushes Conor’s creative boundaries. Lucy Boynton is captivating as the aspiring model who captures Conor’s heart. She hints at a glamorous life in London, yet lives in a boarding house and dates a man with uninspired musical taste. Beneath her confident exterior lies a true romantic and a powerful creative muse. “When it comes to art, you never go halfway,” she declares, moments before plunging into the Irish Sea for the sake of a music video. Conor, inspired, immediately follows suit, mirroring her commitment.
Sing Street is undeniably a movie immersed in the 1980s new wave era. Expect bold hairstyles, striking makeup, stylish scarves, and plenty of modish confidence. While synth-pop aesthetics might be viewed with irony today, the film presents them with genuine affection and charm. There’s a sense of innocent enthusiasm that allows the audience to rediscover the allure of 80s popular music in real-time. The sheer joy Brendan and Conor experience watching Duran Duran’s “Rio” video is infectious, and the original songs created for Sing Street are undeniably a standout feature.
Ultimately, Conor discovers his identity through the infectious rhythms of his music, Raphina’s youthful allure, and Brendan’s complex brotherly affection. The glimpses of kitchen-sink realism serve as a cautionary tale, both for Conor and for us. Suppressing our creative urges risks bitterness and resentment. As Kurt Vonnegut wisely said, “Go into the arts. The arts are not a way to make a living. They are a very human way of making life more bearable. Practicing an art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow.” In essence, Sing Street encourages us all: go create something.
