Cinema paradiso: The story of how a boy, a model and Duran Duran managed to make a cult classic

My local cinema puts on what they like to call ‘indie viewings’, showing films that push the boat out a bit for a small town in Kent with probably an average age of 70. One night I took a chance on what they described as a small independent Irish film set in Dublin during the 80s, which at the time I only went along to see what it was like for my mum growing up there at that time. Without a doubt, it turned into what I’d say is the best coming of age movie of all time and hence the film that changed my life.

For a bit of context, Sing Street follows Conor aka ‘Cosmo’ growing up with a love for music. He forms a band and falls for the alternative girl turned model Raphina. Highs and lows with friends, foes and family along the way coupled with the difficulty of moving school and generally growing up makes for a realistic yet gripping storyline that makes you laugh, cry, laugh again and cry even more.

Sing Street was the first time I saw a raw depiction of chasing your dream while seeing the ups and downs along the way. Feeling able to relate to school trouble whilst you have these great ideas about what you’ll do when you simply get out of there. Even just the element of being able to decide in your own mind how everything turns out in the end, it adds an extra layer of relatability and frankly keeps the film light hearted without falling into cliches. It doesn’t fall into the stereotypical happy ending of a coming of age movie which is what makes it so endearing for a young adult viewing, truly feeling seen by the great writing and directing of John Carney. Don’t get me wrong, it is still mostly a happy ending but with the cost of sacrifice.

The undeniable star of the show besides the acting and plot is the stunning soundtrack. To quote Hans Zimmer ‘a good score should have a point of view all of its own’ and oh boy does sing street have that. The perfect balance of big tunes from the time (seriously, you will never have heard as much Duran Duran in a film before), and also original songs that tell the story of the characters. The classic hits act as an insight into the bands inspiration whilst also showing a respect for rock and roll and the curation of one’s own individuality. We get to see how Cosmo comes to be, how Eamon the musician masters his craft and how the close care of Brendan, the older brother, shapes Cosmo. Not only do the originals act to tell us how the characters feel but they also serve to show the development of Cosmo and his band mates in their journey. The songs start off slightly cliché, like any band’s first song, and build in complexity and skill as they learn more about each other and their musical direction. Cosmo’s older brother Brendan sums it up best; ‘Rock and Roll is a risk, you risk being ridiculed’.

No other film will ever do it like Sing Street has, striking the balance between a great story where music has added rather than taken away or overshadowed the plot. For me, I saw film as an art and as a skill for the first time by understanding how tricky this balance is to strike. Everytime I watch it, I can once again appreciate how perfectly the nail was hit on the head. For me, my adoration for this film was pinpointed to hearing the original song Up, just feeling totally understood by a film for the first time. At the time it was for the feeling of growing up and having a crush, to now still relating it to it but due to the fear of the future, wanting to follow your dreams and falling in love. It truly showed me how music isn’t just the background for a story but the vessel for it.

by Ella Clayton.