"Sometimes change hits like a filthy bass line," we’re told in this fictionalized biopic of the titular Irish hip-hop trio. Underpinned by themes of language and identity, writer/director Rich Peppiatt’s rude, raucous film remixes music-movie clichés to Kneecap’s rebel tune with galvanizing verve. Tearing straight outta Belfast on barrelling beats, Kenneth Branagh it ain’t.
Friends, drug dealers and pro-republicans, Liam Óg Ó Hannaidh (stage name: Mo Chara) and Naoise Ó Cairealláin (Móglaí Bap) find their calling when the latter is arrested. Tasked to translate Naoise’s Irish for English-speaking cops, teacher JJ Ó Dochartaigh (DJ Próvaí) sets Naoise’s notebook rhymes to music. Soon gigging in pubs, the Irish-language rappers scrawl ‘Brits Out’ slogans on their arses, mistake ketamine for coke, call for change – and, inevitably, draw the attention of the ‘Peelers’ and worse.
Mixing fiction/reality, comedy/drama and more, Peppiatt treads tonal high wires confidently. Alongside pro turns from Michael Fassbender (Naoise’s terrorist dad), Simone Kirby (Naoise’s mum) and others, the track-suited title trio’s natural presence carries the film assuredly.
Grounding events in near-truth, Peppiatt also flaunts energizing shows of formal playfulness and wit, albeit with debts to Trainspotting. And as things darken, a subplot involving the ‘Radical Republicans Against Drugs’ amusingly echoes Life of Brian, while fast-forwarding VHS-style over violent beatings.
Amid these outlandish detours, a call to recognize the Irish language is cannily handled. Even as the climax threatens to turn sober, the blistering soundtrack rectifies that risk: cutting to Kneecap in concert, Peppiatt fuels the film’s message with exuberant, exhilarating life.
Kneecap is released in UK cinemas on August 23 and is US theaters now.
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