Sunday, January 5, 2014

Good Vibrations (2012)

Directors: Lisa Barros D'Sa, Glenn Leyburn
Writers:    Colin Carberry, Glenn Patterson
Cast:        Richard Dormer, Jodie Whittaker, Liam Cunningham

The film chronicles the rise of Belfast punk rock scene, amidst the troubles that were going on there, through one man's efforts who set up the Good Vibrations record store. Terri Hooley ended up getting records out for bands like 'The Outcasts' and 'The Undertones' but decided not to profit from them as he was a socialist. None of the bands became big and they didn't sign any record deals but they received support from BBC's John Peel.

It is a feel good film and it is conscious about it with the tagline: 'It is not a feel good film, but a feel great film'. The thing with such films is that how different the set up is decides whether it works or not. Belfast rife with the Catholics-Protestants fighting and its dark sense of humor and accent makes the film work. Unlike the characters in films like '24 Hour Party People', the characters here are not desperate for money which in itself is a bit different. As Terri says regarding the punk:' New-York has the hairstyles, London has the Trousers but Belfast has the reason'.

Rating: 4/5 

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