Release Date - 23rd August, Cert - 18, Run-time - 1 hour 45 minutes, Director - Rich Peppiatt

Belfast-based hip-hop group Kneecap (themselves) rise to fame against pressure from opposing sides for their drug-based, Irish-language republican lyrics.

In recent years it seems as if musical biopics have become increasingly familiar and conventional, in light of this Kneecap may be the boldest since Rocketman - and for very different reasons. A proud and defiant telling of the origins of the Irish hip-hop group of the same name, playing themselves in the grounded lead roles, this is a loud and unashamed biopic. One less concerned with telling the story of the central group and more the one of their message and the divided responses to it.

The West Belfast-based group, made up of childhood friends Naoise and Liam, alongside music teacher JJ - who sees the initial promise in the boys' drug-fuelled, Irish-language lyrics and sets them to garage-made beats - have plenty of critics. The police are always close waiting to strike against anything they see as anti-British messaging - in real life the group have said that any anti-Brit perceptions are a false spin on their work. While Radical Republicans Against Drugs act as a source of comic relief (disagreeing on how to pronounce RRAD) against the layer of tension through the potentially violent threat that they pose.

There's plenty of humour throughout as the band go from performing to a quiet audience in the local pub to selling out full concerts. Naturally springing up in the bond between the titular trio alongside some more surprising moments - certain phrases exclaimed by Liam and protestant girlfriend Georgia (Jessica Reynolds) during sex scenes contain strong pauses before laughing. Although perhaps the biggest surprise comes in the form of a Pinky And The Brain reference during a rap.

Throughout, the raps are belted with passion which the film exudes with. The film is at its best when dealing with the core messaging of their Irish-language lyrics against the backdrop of the campaign for an Irish Language Act, recognising the language in Northern Ireland. When leaning into strands relating to the RRAD or Naoise's father, Arlo (Michael Fassbender); opinions on his reported death after a life of republican activities have varied for years, such elements feel somewhat undercooked.  There are still points to like in these moments, however they lack the same weight as the core focus of the narrative. 

As a story of passion and defiance Kneecap is told with strength and humour. Perhaps helped in some way by the fact the real life figures play themselves, a decision which could end badly but is a success. There's an edge of the proceedings without feeling overbearing or as if it's trying to dissociate itself from viewers.

What comes through is clear boldness, far from a conventional music biopic. One that stands out from the crowd in both style and tone. Bringing you in with plenty of laughs around the antics and drive of the central trio; radiating from the screen and speakers with loud colour and sound.

Four stars