'Killing Bono' entertainingly funny

Director: Nick Hamm

Cast: Ben Barnes, Krysten Ritter, Robert Sheehan, Pete Postlethwaite

Cert: 15

A cautionary tale of misplaced rivalry, based on the real-life story of Dublin brothers Neill (Barnes) and Ivan (Sheehan) McCormick’s attempts to emulate the rise and rise of Bono and U2.

The film is based on Neill’s book about his obsession with getting the better of his deadly rivals … even though the rivalry was entirely in his own mind for, in truth, his band wasn’t up to much.

The film, an entertainingly funny if over-long affair, recounts Neill’s catalogue of bad decisions, including an unnecessary subplot involving local criminals, and the band’s laughingly awful gigs.

Postlethwaite, sadly, appears in his last film, though he turns in another memorable performance as the brothers’ gay landlord.

Star Rating: 3/5