DVD Reviews

Killing Bono

• Rating:
• Director: Nick Hamm
• Starring: Ben Barnes
• Details: UK/IRL 113mins 15A

Starting off well, with some laughs and a spot-on Irish accent from Ben Barnes, Killing Bono soon struggles as proceedings move from Dublin to London. Early laughs are replaced with incessant mugging, as Barnes' McCormick continually makes decisions that make Larry David look like the indistinguishable affable lead of a generic Hollywood romantic comedy.
Barnes is real life Dubliner, Neil McCormick, who has dreamed of becoming a rock star since he was a kid. Talented and handsome, he and younger brother Ivan (Sheehan) grew up with soon-to-be megastars U2, and Neil has always had a bitter rivalry (on his part mostly) with their front man, Bono. When Neil turns down an offer on behalf of his brother to join U2, he becomes even more desperate for fame and fortune - with his career decisions increasingly ridiculous and inexplicable as his new band teeters on the edge of a record deal.
Surprisingly natural for the opening twenty five minutes or so, Barnes vigorously attempts to inject some form of charm into a character that is essentially a complete and utter a*sehole. You will never be on his side, despite Barnes' admirable efforts; the focus is firmly on the comedic aspects of his character, so sympathising with him was probably never a priority. On the other hand you are supposed to do that with Sheehan's blissfully unaware Ivan, but he's sparsely written and played more like a hyper toddler thank budding rock star by the Misfits actor.
Clearly large portions of the film are made up; from the hook of McCormick actually attempting to kill Bono, to the obvious exaggeration of certain scenarios to enhance the sometimes awkward comedic aspect. There are many characters here filled with potential - possibly too many - but time is wasted on Neil, and there's only so much Barnes can do. Had focus switched to Sheehan a bit more, fleshing out his character, then the film may have had more of a balance. He mentions a girlfriend we don't see, and is never given anything to do other than react to Barnes.
It's still amusing and indeed fun in parts. It just has a main character you want to see fall at every opportunity, and a brash concoction of overly-quirky, underused peripherals.

Review by Mike Sheridan