Kneecap

Two lads with little by way of opportunity hook up with a school music teacher (DJ Próvai) whose wife "Caitlin" (Fionnuala Flaherty) is fighting for the legalisation of the Irish Gaelic language. Móglaí Bap and Mo Chara play themselves as two "low life scum" who have been taught to weaponise their language by "Arlo" (Michael Fassbender) who has decided that it's probably safer for him to die in a fatal accident at sea before the authorities catch up with him. With his ma unwilling to leave the house, Móglaí and his pal start to realise that there is a great deal of power in honestly crafted lyrics that cut through the politics and resonate directly with sections of the population consistently under-represented by mainstream media, radio, music... Thing is, though, the peelers aren't so keen on this subversion and led by "Ellis" (Josie Walker) whose niece "Georgia" (Jessica Reynolds) just happens to be Mo's on/off sex buddy, are quickly on their case. They've also attracted the attention of some radical republicans who ostensibly don't like the fact that a fair whack of their words relate to horse tranquillisers and other drugs they get sent through the post from abroad disguised as toys and DVDs. With the cops on one side and the fed-up paras on the other, not to mention their third wheel struggling to keep his involvement as under wraps from his school and his missus as he can, these lads don't have their problems to seek. It's unashamedly republican in sentiment and if that's not your position in the scheme of Northern or North of Ireland politics, then this might border on the offensive. It's fairly comprehensively anti-British. However, as these guys get up an head of steam you can't help but like them and want them to succeed in achieving their own sort of freedom from an oppression that is as much to do with their own futures as it has for the broader solution for their homeland. Their writing is ripe and pithy with loads of craic, a little violence but ultimately a message of hope and optimism that exemplifies the old saying about the pen being mightier than the sword - only in this case, it's the rap. It's course and brutal, and won't be for everyone - but you should give it a try.

'Kneecap' is fairly entertaining. It's impressive how good the acting is given it stars the musical trio in acting debuts as basically themselves. Michael Fassbender adds star power, could've used more of Lalor Roddy (great in 'That They May Face the Rising Sun', fwiw) mind. Other pluses include the camera work and the music; never heard of Kneecap until now, though their stuff is merged in nicely. The humour is amusing too, arguably the movie's strongest element to be honest. With those positives noted, I didn't find the story all that interesting - and there's a lot of convenience involved for it, as every character has a (too) direct connection to everything else. The main characters are a bit cringe too in moments, though the humour does admittedly just about shield that for much of the run time. Overall, I'd recommend it. It has enough about it, for sure.