Cast: Fionnuala Flaherty, Naoise Ó Cairealláin, Liam Óg Ó Hannaidh, JJ Ó Dochartaigh, Josie Walker, Jessica Reynolds
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Director: Rich Peppiatt
In Irish Cinemas: 8th August 2024
In musical biopics, the latest entrant, Kneecap, stands out as a refreshing and engaging portrayal. This film delves into the compelling story of an unexpected trio who come together to form an Irish hip-hop group, offering a unique and entertaining perspective on their journey.
When Belfast schoolteacher JJ (DJ Próvai) becomes convinced that two neighbourhood boys, Naoise (Móglaí Bap) and Liam Óg (Mo Chara), have the potential to succeed as a hip-hop group, he offers to produce some tracks for them. This collaboration evolves into a full-fledged partnership, with JJ becoming as essential to the newly formed group, Kneecap, as Naoise and Liam Óg. Kneecap rapidly emerges as an unexpected voice for the Civil Rights movement, striving to protect the Irish language from being subsumed by English. Despite being seen as a threat to public order by some, the group remains unwavering in their advocacy for cultural heritage and its resistance to censorship.
Director Rich Peppiatt makes his feature debut with this film, working from a script co-written by himself and the three band members: Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap, and DJ Próvai. What stands out is the engaging portrayal of the bandmates as they refine their professional image and musical style. A particularly striking scene is when DJ Próvai puts on a ski mask decorated with the colours of the Irish flag. Rather than a simple disguise, this moment is depicted as a crucial milestone in the band’s development. Peppiatt deserves credit for presenting these moments as significant turning points in the group’s history; a sentiment effectively conveyed through the skilled editing of Chris Fill and Julian Ulrichs and the evocative music by Michael “Mikey J” Assante.
The members of Kneecap—Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap, and DJ Próvai—excel in portraying themselves, delivering compelling performances that engage the audience and draw them into their story. The film also benefits from supporting solid performances: Michael Fassbender plays the estranged father of one of the boys with depth and intensity, while Simone Kirby gives a nuanced portrayal of his wife. Josie Walker stands out as a determined detective trying to apprehend the father, who is also an adversary of the government. These performances contribute to a well-rounded and fully realised cast of characters, avoiding the pitfall of featuring only a few well-developed individuals among a sea of less interesting ones.
The catalogue of successful biographical films focused on musical artists, particularly within the hip-hop genre, is relatively limited. However, “Kneecap” pushes boundaries and succeeds on multiple narrative and musical fronts. The film tells a captivating and engaging story about three friends who triumph over adversity to create something significant and potentially timeless. Through its innovative approach, “Kneecap” entertains and deeply resonates with audiences, highlighting the enduring impact of their journey and achievements.
Overall: 7.5/10
Movie Reviewer
