Kneecap

A decent Irish cult flick that grabs you with its interesting characters, cheekiness, solid music, drugs and Irish dialect. I didn't really know what to expect, but I had a great time. Plus for the steamy sex scenes. There could have been more humour, but still a fine film. 8/10. (2024-09-13)

To be successful, every film about an outsider overcoming the odds, whether it involves sports (e.g. Rocky or Dodgeball) or music (e.g. The Commitments or Pitch Perfect), needs only to follow a standard formula and populate it with appropriately likable characters with clear motivations in a distinctive setting. At its core, Kneecap is not a revelation, as it “only” flawlessly fulfils a concept that works perfectly on viewers. It simply makes ideal use of its belligerent agenda, likably impudent real-life protagonists, vigorous form and finely layered screenplay. This recipe for success turned out unsurprisingly well, but that doesn’t take anything away from the power of the cult that is deservedly building up around the film. It could even be bitterly said that the main reason the film is receiving such an enthusiastic response consists in its clever way of reaching international viewers. Instead of mainstream distribution, it took the more meandering route of gaining fame and enthusiastic recognition in the otherwise mostly difficult environment of film festivals and markets. Nor is it surprising that the distribution giant Sony immediately jumped on this Irish hit sold by a French company. I thus only hope that Sony’s Czech division won’t sleep on Kneecap and will just similarly and brilliantly bide its time until the moment is right to release this impactful and cheeky diss track into Czech distribution. This shot of endorphins should be consumed only in mass form. (2024-06-30)

Every word spoken in Irish is a bullet fired for Irish freedom. A rebellious statement in the style of Trainspotting about fighting for a nation through music. Kneecap has incredible verve, a clever script playing with interpretations of reality and beautifully working relationship lines. The music teacher rules. Very good acting (if you play yourself can that be considered acting?) and we have a great Michael Fassbender, who is and isn't here so that to anchor the TV schedule more clearly you can declare that the new Fassbender film is on and get an affirmative response. Great music, imaginative visuals and definitely one of the best films of the year. (2024-11-04)

Ultimate Irish euphoria. The Trainspotting vibes hit you right from the start, and as the synopsis promises, you're in for a film with serious cult potential. You can feel the pure joy of creation in every aspect—whether it's the music or the story itself. After 14 years of attending the festival, this was the first time I went to see a film twice. At press screenings, applause is rare, but Kneecap totally earned it. 90%. P.S. At my age, I really didn’t think I’d be getting into Irish hip-hop. But after this... do I even have a choice?! (2024-07-08)

Kneecap is an entertaining, frenetic and energetic film with funky humour that became an unexpected audience hit at this year's Karlovy Vary festival. The Northern Irish hip-hop band's exuberant rampage works brilliantly on screen, although once you've spent some time thinking about it all after the film, it's not entirely seamless. The film somewhat theatrically attempts to justify its anti-system, glorification of illegality and promotion of drugs through the rebelliousness of the Irish people, the protection of their indigenous language and the fight for freedom. Well... so be it. If you don't have a problem with that, you'll probably enjoy the film. As a non-Irishman, I'll keep my mouth shut. Sometimes it's good to let a morally degraded film live. [KVIFF 2024] (2024-07-04)

(KVIFF 2024) Kneecap rides on a similarly brisk and wry wave as Trainspotting or some films by Guy Ritchie, with the added value of its interest in the Irish language and its dissemination to audiences. The film is incredibly sharp and doesn't spare f*cks, the f*cks and the f*cks, yet this isn't some first rate vulgar rant for an undemanding audience, but an aptly cheeky comedy with a wickedly precise turn of phrase and imaginative visuals (2024-07-03)

Incredibly funny Irish bold ride about the formation of a hip-hop band, whose members played themselves in the film and showed Czech viewers not only awareness of the existence of this unique, problematic, politically quirky group, but also that they are fantastic actors. It's like a variation of Trainspotting for a younger generation that understands hip hop and all drug jargon, but also for lay sober audience who wants to have a royal fun and listen to authentic Irish Gaelic. Several times while watching Kneecap, I was reminded of the comedic Irish series Derry Girls, set around the time of the Irish Troubles, which was also very funny. This film simply wrote life itself, and thanks to the coronation with great songs, entertaining camera work, editing, and colorfulness, this film simply won't leave you indifferent. I was dancing to the rhythm even on the way out of the hall, and if "Kneecap" were to perform at Karlovy Vary this year, I would definitely go there to party. Oh, and the presence of my darling Fassbender was also a delight, as he surprisingly played a bigger role than I expected. One of the best cuts in this year's Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. KVIFF 2024 (2024-07-04)