Synopsis
The true story of Neil and Ivan McCormick, two Irish brothers who attempt to become rock stars but can only look on as their high school friends U2 become the biggest band in the world.
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Cast
- Ben BarnesNeil McCormick
- Robert SheehanIvan McCormick
- Pete PostlethwaiteKarl
- Krysten RitterGloria
- Ralph BrownLeo
- Justine WaddellDanielle
- Luke TreadawayNick
- Martin McCannBono
- Peter SerafinowiczHammond
- Hugh O'ConorGary
Recommendations
- 75
New York Post
Killing Bono begs to be remade with A-list stars but, given Neil's history of near-misses, probably won't be. - 70
The Hollywood Reporter
This cleverly conceived, behind-the-scenes tale features fine lead performances and enough nods to the epic group's early days to interest fans outside the U.K. - 70
Movieline
It's that mean edge to Killing Bono's storytelling, none of it directed at the famous figure of the title, that makes it more than the film equivalent of someone's prize bar anecdote about the celebrity he knew (and could have been - nay, should have been) back in the day. - 60
Time Out
"Amadeus" it's not, but as light transitional music, the film-which has Pete Postlethwaite's final performance, as a swishy landlord-is tuneful enough. - 60
New York Daily News
Director Nick Hamm's movie is sparky and fun, and full of affectionate pokes at the '80s music scene. It's also, in terms of music biopics, probably better than the real thing. - 50
Variety
Taking liberties with journalist Neil McCormick's memoir to create narrative tension, screenwriters Simon Maxwell and prolific scribe team Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais ("The Commitments") overstuff the story with subplots and trite character arcs. - 42
The A.V. Club
There's a difference between "funny" and "comedy," and the movie adaptation of Killing Bono tries way too hard to be nutty, at the expense of just getting across what McCormick knows. - 40
Empire
A clever idea that can't find its feet on the bigger stage.
