DVD Corner

Kneecap DVD Review

“Kneecap” is a quality biopic.

2024’s “Kneecap” is a biopic about the titular Irish hip-hop group comprised of members Mo Chara (Liam Ó Hannaidh), DJ Próvaí (JJ Ó Dochartaigh) and Móglaí Bap (Naoise Ó Caireallάin). Interestingly, the band members all play themselves in their acting debuts although they are joined by acting veterans such as Michael Fassbender, Simone Kirby, among others. The true life story set in Belfast revolves around how the Irish speaking band members meet, connect, and eventually make music together. Liam and Naoise were already friends who learned Irish from Naoise’s father Arlo (a republican paramilitary member who faked his death and vanished from his family) while JJ is a teacher at an Irish-language school that meets Liam during a police interrogation acting as an Irish interpreter. JJ hides Liam’s notebook which features Irish song lyrics. JJ (who plays music himself) is inspired by this and wants to collaborate with Liam and Naoise to form an Irish hip-hop group. Despite a slow start performing live amid nerves and drug taking, the band’s music begins to garner attention. Of course, not everyone is a fan as their political messages ruffle feathers at a time when there is a political movement to grant equal rights for the Irish language which has slowly begun to disappear within the Irish culture. 

Elsewhere in the story are plots about JJ hiding his music from his girlfriend and the school he works at, Naoise’s father Arlo reappearing, Liam’s girlfriend Georgia whose Aunt happens to be a Police Detective that has a vendetta against liam, and RRAD dissidents who stir up trouble for Kneecap. 

At a time when biopics are common and all too formulaic, “Kneecap” goes against the grain by revitalizing the stale genre. In addition to having its subjects star in the film, writer/director Rich Peppiatt really goes all out to not water down the story at all. It’s an energetic, honest, warts and all depiction of the hip-hop band’s rise to fame. Yes, one might argue there are still biopic trappings here (which is probably unavoidable), but “Kneecap” boldly digs into the band’s controversies, crimes, drug binges, and flawed existences. It’s telling it like it is without warping truths to pander to audiences all while delivering a poignant cultural and political story about the Irish language.

As mentioned above, the band members play themselves here and it certainly makes the film look and feel more authentic. DJ Próvaí/JJ Ó Dochartaigh in particular seems like a natural and it wouldn’t shock me to see him get more parts in the future. Mo Chara/Liam Ó Hannaidh and Móglaí Bap/Naoise Ó Caireallάin also deliver quality performances. It helps that they are acting opposite veterans like the great Michael Fassbender (who automatically makes every movie better) and Simone Kirby too.

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 2.39:1. Grade: B

Audio Track: Dolby Digital 5.1. Grade: B

The lone extra is a theatrical trailer. 

October 9, 2024 - Posted by nicklyons1 | DVD review | Biopic, DJ Próvaí, Hip-Hop Music, Irish Hip-Hop, Irish Language, Irish Movie, Kneecap Band, Kneecap DVD Review, Móglaí Bap, Michael Fassbender, Mo Chara