January 12, 2025 – Until I did some research on this story, I thought it was made up, like “Harold & Kumar go to White Castle.” But no, although it is a lot like that earlier stoner comedy, it is actually based on a real story, and some of the real guys involved in the real story are in the movie!

This movie has a lot to do with gaining official recognition for the Irish language (Gaelic) in Northern Ireland. Working towards that end are JJ Ó Dochartaigh, a Belfast music teacher, and his girlfriend, Caitlin (played by Fionnuala Flaherty of “Out of Innocence.”) According to the movie, there are relatively few Irish speakers in Northern Ireland.

One night, the police call on JJ Ó Dochartaigh, asking him to work as an Irish translator for the interrogation of a prisoner. Police have arrested a young drug dealer, Liam Óg Ó hAannaidh, on a minor charge. While translating Liam's notebook, he discovers poetry written in Irish. He helps Liam out of the jam, and later approaches Liam and Liam's friend, Naoise Ó Cairealláin with the idea of using Liam's poetry as hip hop lyrics, and starting a band to promote the use of the Irish language.

After a wild night of drugs and music at JJ Ó Dochartaigh's makeshift music studio, the band, named Kneecap, begins to form. JJ Ó Dochartaigh runs the equipment and helps out on vocals. Liam is the lead singer, and Naoise is also a vocalist. Since JJ Ó Dochartaigh will lose his job if he is seen performing, he wears a mask, and takes on the stage name of “DJ Próvaí.” Liam takes on the stage name of Mo Chara and Naoise uses the stage name Móglaí Bap.

Troubles abound with JJ Ó Dochartaigh trying to keep his membership in Kneecap a secret from both his employer and Caitlin, while Liam and Naoise are targets of both the police and a corrupt anti-drug gang. In addition, Liam has a torrid relationship with a Protestant woman, Georgia (Jessica Reynolds of the “Outlander” series) who is related to Police Detective Ellis (Josie Walker of “Belfast”) who hates Liam and beats him while he is in custody. To top it off, Naoise's father, Arlo Ó Cairealláin (Michael Fassbender of “Alien: Covenant”) an Irish rebel wanted for several bombings, has come back to town after faking his own death and disappearing for years. He might be opposed to Kneecap as well for his own reasons.

As you can tell from the above, there is plenty going with the members of this band, and all their relatives and friends. Kneecap is opposed by the authorities because the band openly advocates for getting rid of British rule in Northern Ireland. The sexually-charged, drug-fueled lyrics of their songs are also opposed by authorities, who ban them from the radio. It all comes to a head in a concert where guns are drawn and threats are made.

Although there is serious subject matter in this movie, it is also very funny. It works as a stoner comedy, and also as a musical comedy. The music and the lyrics here both represent working class anti-establishment themes, which makes them powerful in the way Rock and Roll used to be. This is like a Belfast version of “Straight Outta Compton.”

In case you hadn't figured it out already, JJ Ó Dochartaigh, Naoise Ó Cairealláin and Liam Óg Ó hAannaidh all play themselves in this movie. Naoise and Liam also are credited as writers of this screenplay (credited under their stage names) along with writer-director Rich Peppiatt. It is pretty hard to get more authentic than that. This movie rates an A.

Click here for links to places to buy or rent this movie in digital formats, or to buy the soundtrack, posters, books, even used videos, games, electronics and lots of other stuff (no extra charges apply). I suggest you shop at least two of these places before buying anything. Prices seem to vary continuously. For more information on this film, click on this link to The Internet Movie Database. Type in the name of the movie in the search box and press enter. You will be able to find background information on the film, the actors, and links to much more information.

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Reproduced with the permission of the copyright holder.

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