A Masterpiece of Music Film: A Boy Runs Towards a Bright Future

The setting is the nostalgic 1980s, in Dublin, Ireland, during the peak of British rock. The protagonist is 14-year-old Conor, who is told by his parents to transfer to a cheaper public school due to his father's unemployment. He is bullied at school and lives a dull life, but one day, he encounters a beautiful muse in front of the school.

Raphina, who calls herself a model, lives in an apartment in front of the school and is the object of admiration for the boys. While everyone hesitates to approach her, Conor boldly goes up to her and says, "Won't you be in my band's music video?" Even though he doesn't have a band. However, Conor, having obtained Raphina's phone number, hastily forms "his band." To his surprise, it works out well, and they name it "Sing Street." They start by covering Duran Duran...

Conor, who was already initiated into British rock by his music-obsessed older brother, found happiness only when listening to records and watching MTV together. The reason he started a band wasn't because his talent was discovered or by chance, but purely out of a desire to impress the girl he liked – a charmingly childish motive. (Yet, it's fun to imagine that even globally famous bands sometimes start for such reasons.)

And the people surrounding Conor are wonderful. Especially, his older brother Brendan is one of the essences that makes the story so engaging. He dropped out of college and is currently withdrawn, but to Conor, he is a life mentor. When Conor plays a Duran Duran song and lets him listen, Brendan scolds him, "You have a girl you like, don't you? Don't try to win her over with someone else's song." (Quite right!)

Furthermore, when Conor is dejected upon learning that Raphina seems to have a boyfriend, Brendan, upon hearing that the boyfriend listens to Genesis on his car stereo, reassures Conor, "Don't worry, he's not an enemy. A man who listens to Phil Collins won't win over a girl," boosting his confidence. He teaches Conor how to "rock" his life with various "wise words," sometimes pushing his hesitant and troubled younger brother forward by saying, "It's okay, that's how it should be," and sometimes making him pause and think by asking, "Is it really okay?" He is a truly reliable senior in life.





The band members who gather somewhat haphazardly are all unique, each with their own strengths and specialties. When Conor writes lyrics about his crush, one of his friends composes a fitting melody, other members arrange it, another records it, and they create a music video. Through this band activity, which started on a whim, each of these young people overcomes invisible barriers in their own way. The way play leads to dreams, and dreams lead to life, is actually realistic and relatable.

Raphina, the muse who influences the protagonist, guides Conor toward a new life with her mature charm and persuasive presence. Or rather, Raphina might represent "life itself" for Conor. Conor meets people through music, but his encounter with Raphina dramatically changes his subsequent days. Through her, he harbors dreams and strives to achieve them, and in doing so, he touches upon his own life, which belongs to no one else. Surely everyone has experienced such an encounter. The catalyst varies for each person. It doesn't have to be music.

Although the world is full of cruel and eye-watering things, life is about trying to connect with the wonderful aspects within it, such as love, affection, and compassion. Director John Carney, in his previous works "Once" and "Begin Again," has achieved worldwide acclaim by depicting the happy fusion of music and life, embodying the spirit of "No music, No life." Through these three films, he has symbolized the beauty of a world that is surprisingly not entirely bleak, and the hope of its people, through music. Even those who aren't music lovers are moved by his works for this reason.

What is depicted here might be the reason to love life more. When you have something you can cherish, life becomes irreplaceable. Wishing that this film, which teaches us such an obvious yet profoundly important lesson, becomes a treasured film in your life.



****
I want to give it a perfect score. However, I expect director Carney will continue to deliver masterpieces. Four stars, with anticipation.



Jun Makiguchi
After working for Kyodo News, a festival secretariat, and a magazine editorial department, she became independent. She currently writes film columns and interviews for women's and men's magazines, focusing on lifestyle topics such as fashion, food, and music seen on screen.

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