Kneecap Review | Fresh, Funny, and Not For The Faint-Hearted

Kneecap is--in a word--stunning. Here's another: "relentless." From the start, it grabs the viewer by the gut (or something lower) and never lets go as it leads us through drug-fueled misadventures and politically-charged social battles that feel as combustible as barrels of TNT, waiting to explode. 

Biopics are a risky proposition, as they tend to lionize and occasionally even deify their subjects. They're also full of fictions that are passed off as facts to further propel the legacies of their central figures into the pop culture stratosphere. "When the truth becomes legend, print the legend." Kneecap doesn't do that; our three leads, who play slightly-fictionalized versions of themselves, are presented warts and all, fully human and with inconvenient rough edges.

Performances feel natural. In fact, it's hard to believe these guys aren't all professional actors, as they seem completely comfortable on camera. Our hip hop anti-heroes hold their own opposite some real stage and screen veterans including Michael Fassbender, who turns in a great performance himself. In another surprise, this is the director's first feature film, coming a decade after shorts, television episodes, and even a documentary.

The film feels dangerous. It's about art and language and culture and the inevitable revolution that results when those things are suppressed. Set against the backdrop of Northern Ireland conflict and the children of the militants who fought for what they believed, this is a story of unrest--both political and social--but one that sees words as having more power than bullets. There's definitely a message to this film (and it's not a subtle one), but it's balanced by humor, innovative filmmaking techniques, and some really infectious music. It's not for the faint of heart or easily offended...but then again, nothing great ever is.