Killing Bono - DVD 2011
(review by Joe Donnelly)
The much heralded celluloid interpretation of 'Neil McCormicks' celebrated book 'I was Bono's doppleganger (a life in the shadows of superstardom)' has now arrived to enjoy in the cosy confines of your living room.
After all the hoopla surrounding its limited movie theatre release earlier this year ,the film finally makes it to the more accessable world of home dvd for everyone to enjoy and do you know what "its a little gem of a movie" .
Shot (not litterally) around various Belfast locations during last year (we were playing spot the street throughout ), the city was chosen by the makers to body double for both Dublin & London.
Its the story of the McCormick brothers 'Ivan & Neil' ,two ordinary lads with teenage dreams of living a life of rockstar excess filled with as much sex,drugs and rock'n'roll as possible, but theres one massive elephant in the room. They formed a punk rock combo in secondary school called 'The Undertakers' ,unforunately for them at the very same moment in time another dublin punk band who they're also best friends with was born. You may have heard of this other band called 'The Hype' ,what do you mean you've never heard of them!.
Well a short time later they changed their name, so try 'U2' for size then.
The brothers rivalry & never ending battle to escape from the massive ego's & world straddling shadow of Bono Vox & U2, is beautifly told here in a sharp script by Ian La Frenais & Dick Clement ,especially 'Neil' whose personal jealousy of his nemises global success drives him to make a number of disasterous decisions usually behind the other band members backs which in the end killed any chance of major success 'Shook Up' may/ maynot have had .
'Pete Postlethwaite RIP ' in his final big screen role as'Karl' their gay London landlord , 'Stanley Townsend' as the very scarey but funny gangster 'Danny Machin' plus 'Peter Serafinowicz' as the maverick and slightly loopy record label boss 'Hammond' were excellent choices for their parts and not forgetting 'Martin McCann 'as Paul Hewson / Bono Vox who actually makes you believe that bonehead is really a pleasent enough chap , now that is oscar worthy acting lol.
But its pretty boy 'Ben Barnes' who you may know from the recent blockbusters 'Prince Caspian' & 'Dorian Gray' who is the real revelation for me , he's so believable as superstar wannabe & mainman 'Neil McCormick ' and not just some Hollywood actor going through the motions and picking up a rather large pay check for his troubles. This was inspired casting ,he's perfect in the lead role ,as is 'Robert Sheehan' playing his pissed off brother 'Ivan' .
I really enjoyed this movie , I didn't expect to because like the main character here I can't stand Bono & U2 either , but the story is so endearing you can't help but love it .
Get a few beers in relax and enjoy , I highly reccomend this movie for everyone ( but especially if you're on the wrong side of 40).
Joe Donnelly Belfast 9.8.11.
The much heralded celluloid interpretation of 'Neil McCormicks' celebrated book 'I was Bono's doppleganger (a life in the shadows of superstardom)' has now arrived to enjoy in the cosy confines of your living room.
After all the hoopla surrounding its limited movie theatre release earlier this year ,the film finally makes it to the more accessable world of home dvd for everyone to enjoy and do you know what "its a little gem of a movie" .
Shot (not litterally) around various Belfast locations during last year (we were playing spot the street throughout ), the city was chosen by the makers to body double for both Dublin & London.
Its the story of the McCormick brothers 'Ivan & Neil' ,two ordinary lads with teenage dreams of living a life of rockstar excess filled with as much sex,drugs and rock'n'roll as possible, but theres one massive elephant in the room. They formed a punk rock combo in secondary school called 'The Undertakers' ,unforunately for them at the very same moment in time another dublin punk band who they're also best friends with was born. You may have heard of this other band called 'The Hype' ,what do you mean you've never heard of them!.
Well a short time later they changed their name, so try 'U2' for size then.
The brothers rivalry & never ending battle to escape from the massive ego's & world straddling shadow of Bono Vox & U2, is beautifly told here in a sharp script by Ian La Frenais & Dick Clement ,especially 'Neil' whose personal jealousy of his nemises global success drives him to make a number of disasterous decisions usually behind the other band members backs which in the end killed any chance of major success 'Shook Up' may/ maynot have had .
'Pete Postlethwaite RIP ' in his final big screen role as'Karl' their gay London landlord , 'Stanley Townsend' as the very scarey but funny gangster 'Danny Machin' plus 'Peter Serafinowicz' as the maverick and slightly loopy record label boss 'Hammond' were excellent choices for their parts and not forgetting 'Martin McCann 'as Paul Hewson / Bono Vox who actually makes you believe that bonehead is really a pleasent enough chap , now that is oscar worthy acting lol.
But its pretty boy 'Ben Barnes' who you may know from the recent blockbusters 'Prince Caspian' & 'Dorian Gray' who is the real revelation for me , he's so believable as superstar wannabe & mainman 'Neil McCormick ' and not just some Hollywood actor going through the motions and picking up a rather large pay check for his troubles. This was inspired casting ,he's perfect in the lead role ,as is 'Robert Sheehan' playing his pissed off brother 'Ivan' .
I really enjoyed this movie , I didn't expect to because like the main character here I can't stand Bono & U2 either , but the story is so endearing you can't help but love it .
Get a few beers in relax and enjoy , I highly reccomend this movie for everyone ( but especially if you're on the wrong side of 40).
Joe Donnelly Belfast 9.8.11.