Good Vibrations (2012)

Drama, Biography, Music

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

"Are teenage dreams so hard to beat?"

When you decide to tell a story like that of Terri Hooley through images, it's easy to see that it is almost half the battle. Good Vibrations is the true story of Terri Hooley, a Northern Irish music icon of the 70s and godfather of punk Belfast.

There is no peace in the Northern Ireland of the 70s and Belfast is devoured by the blind hatred caused by the clash between Catholics and Protestants. Terri Hooley is a pacifist, religious differences do not concern him: the only power that drives him is his love for music and knows his power! He decides to open a record store in Great Victoria Street, the most bombed street in the city. Thus, Good Vibrations is born, a small record store that will represent all the young people of Belfast (and not only) the true symbol of the rebellion of an era devastated by civil war.

But Good Vibrations also celebrates the production and distribution of independent music as a genuine act of subversion, and as we can see, it's far more effective than the traditional means of radical politics that's exercized by most of Terri's friends and acquaintances, and his socialist father.

With a unique twinkly-eyed performance from Richard Dormer as Hooley, great punk score interwoven with compelling historic footage from the era, Good Vibrations is a love song dedicated to both the power of good music and determined political resistance, capturing the natural politics of an openhearted youth movement.

Plot summary from IMDb: In 1970s Belfast, Terri Hooley is an idealistic rocker who finds himself caught in the middle of Northern Ireland's bitter Troubles. Seeing a parallel in the chaos with Jamaica, Hooley opens a record shop, Good Vibrations, to help bring reggae music to his city to help encourage some harmony. However, Hooley soon discovers a new music genre, punk rock, and is inspired by its youthful vitality to become an important record producer and promoter of the local scene. In doing so, Hooley would struggle both with the industry's realities and his chaotic personal life that threaten to consume him. However, he would also be instrumental in creating an alternative Irish community that would bridge his land's religious and social rivalries with an art no one expected.

Awards: Nominated for 1 BAFTA Film Award. Another 4 wins & 4 nominations.
Runtime: 103 min
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