I usually don't like biopics where the subject
is still alive, as they seem so inconclusive, but Good Vibrations is probably
the exception to this rule. Terri Hooley (played by Richard Dormer), for all his
flaws and failings is a man on his own mission, and still is. Despite the war
torn backdrop of 1970's Ireland during Operation Banner, the film is for the
most part a light hearted look at the rise and fall and rise and fall... And
rise and fall of Terri Hooley who just wanted to run a record store and record label releasing music he thought the world should hear, and he did this. But where most would
define success by profit, he did it all to make himself happy and seemingly for
the experience.
Often you find yourself rooting for Hooley,
even when you know he's potentially endangering or just plain ignoring his wife, Ruth played by Jodie Whittaker, while he aided in the development of the Irish punk scene. This scene is what saw the rise of the band The Undertones (John Peel cited their track Teenage Kicks as his favourite song of all time and his coffin was even carried out to
it at his funeral).
Peppered with great music, humour and a good
dose of history, Good Vibrations is not just a music movie or biographical film, it’s a
thoroughly enjoyable time capsule and inspirational glimpse into a can do
attitude with a redefinition of the word “success”.
I suspect it’ll only have a short run in New
Zealand so go see it if you get the chance, you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
Watch the trailer here:
The Undertones - Teenage Kicks
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