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Ben Barnes, Robert Sheehan, Krysten Ritter, Peter Serafinowicz, Pete Postlethwaite ... see more see more... , Martin McCann , Justine Waddell , Stanley Townsend , Charlie Cox , Lisa McAllister , Luke Treadaway , Ralph Brown

Killing Bono is a rock' n' roll comedy about two Irish brothers struggling to forge their path through the 1980's music scene, whilst the meteoric rise to fame of their old school pals U2 only serves ... read more read more...to cast them deeper into the shadows. -- (C) Arc

Flixster Users

49% liked it

4,606 ratings

Critics

55% liked it

42 critics

R, 1 hr. 54 min.

Directed by: Nick Hamm

Release Date: November 4, 2011

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DVD Release Date: January 16, 2012

Stats: 195 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (195)

  • fb1378820053
    February 21, 2012
    fb1378820053
    A very funny under rated film. Killing Bono maintains great humour and story telling for most of the film but is let down by it's jumpy scenes and it ends at the wrong time. ( You'll know what I mean when you see it) BUT overall a very very funny film. Great acting from the two l... read moreeading actors. Killing Bono is a suprisingly good British film...
  • thmtsang
    April 5, 2011
    thmtsang
    Very funny movie about Neil McCormick and his brother Ivan who want to be rock stars. But they are over shadowed by their school friend Paul aka Bono. This movie looks at the journey of the two brothers to rock bottom while U2 raise to stardom. Stars Ben Barnes. I was also an ext... read morera in the movie so it was very exciting to be a part of it and to watch it.
  • fb1142797643
    May 9, 2012
    fb1142797643
    The premise of "Killing Bono" -- that teen classmates of U2 would simultaneously form their own band and struggle for recognition while jealously watching Bono and company conquer the world -- should be irresistible to rock-music lovers. That it's based on a true story adds even ... read moremore allure. Unfortunately, the facts were obviously embellished to create a more entertaining screenplay -- the self-destructive choices of the rival band's singer (who also wrote the book that inspired the film) are so wildly stupid that credibility is shot. I mean, really -- what member of an unsigned club band would turn down a chance to open for U2? As for depictions of U2 itself, most fans will be disappointed. None of the group's real members appear. Just one U2 song ("I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For") is on the soundtrack. The simulated group is barely shown performing, and only the "Bono" actor has a substantial part. He is a poor physical match. Sadly, the film's most memorable performance comes from the late Pete Postlethwaite as a homosexual landlord and mentor. It was his final role.
  • fb25827189
    April 24, 2012
    fb25827189
    Writer Neil McCormick's memoir about his failed attempt at becoming a world-famous musician. Is given the comedic-treatment in KILLING BONO. Which is highly entertaining and surprisingly good.
    No happy-endings or heroic feats for the main protagonists of this tale. Just a bunch ... read moreof shoulda's and coulda's. But, it is really fun watching the story unfold.
  • Peandpi
    February 1, 2012
    Peandpi
    Killing Bono for the most part is a fun caper which is made all the more interesting, being loosely based on a true story. It's the tale of a band which had every opportunity to be as famous as their rivals, U2, however along the way they ruined every opportunity they had. It's a... read more witty film with sharp dialogue, mostly thanks to Ben Barnes and Robert Sheehan. It's a shame that film feels like it is missing something, something a bit more coherent to make it glue together just a bit better. It's hard to explain, but it feels like the story jumps from point to point without cause. Overall it's worth a watch, just nothing special.
  • bamadeb77
    June 25, 2011
    bamadeb77
    Had funny moments.... Love Bono
  • fb48008457
    February 27, 2012
    fb48008457
    /B-/ The film is enjoyable enough, but saying it is "based on a true story" is playing fast and loose with our language.
  • ThomasJayWilliams
    January 19, 2012
    ThomasJayWilliams
    It wanted to be funny but it wasn't -- just as its subjects wanted to be good at music and weren't. Killing Bono is the true-ish story of two Irish brothers who knew U2 frontman, Bono, in school and wanted to rival him in musical skill and talent. That they weren't really any g... read moreood doesn't register with them as they believe Bono is simply stealing all of their hype and thunder ... so not only do the brother-duo fail on the musical front they fail on the cinematic one as well as they are annoying characters who just don't know when to shut-up or stop. Rivalries always have some potential for some decent stories; but luck just isn't on these Irish brothers' side(s) as they don't ever come across as ones we'd root or feel for. Bono is better ... deal with it and find something else to do. They are the 80's Irish Winklevii.

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Critic Reviews

Mark Jenkins
November 4, 2011
Mark Jenkins, NPR

While Barnes and Sheehan are persuasive as the squabbling siblings, the music-biz mockery is blunt and obvious. Full Review

Kyle Smith
November 4, 2011
Kyle Smith, New York Post

A charming admixture of "Goodfellas" and "Almost Famous," "Killing Bono" is a fanciful rock tale that is nevertheless based on a true story. Full Review

Jeannette Catsoulis
November 3, 2011
Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times

A shapeless rock-music caper that, like its deluded antihero, just doesn't know when to stop. Full Review

Joe Neumaier
November 3, 2011
Joe Neumaier, New York Daily News

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. Full Review

Michael Atkinson
November 1, 2011
Michael Atkinson, Village Voice

The migraine of a story arc needed sharp comedy reflexes or, at least, a live-wire/slummy star turn and got neither. Full Review

Christine Champ
July 9, 2011
Christine Champ, Film.com

Funny, irreverent, slightly bitter, and brimming with self-importance and self-loathing. Full Review

Jordan Mintzer
July 4, 2011
Jordan Mintzer, 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. Full Review

Leslie Felperin
April 3, 2011
Leslie Felperin, Variety

Dialogue is occasionally sharp, even genuinely funny at times, but not often enough to support the farcical antics of the last act. Full Review

Matt Singer
November 11, 2011
Matt Singer, IFC.com

An amusingly fluffy musical biopic. Full Review

Chris Cabin
November 3, 2011
Chris Cabin, Filmcritic.com

the story of what would charitably be called a wackadoo Full Review

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Facts

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    • Karl: I'm telling people they're the next U2, only better looking, and gay.
    • Bono: You're looking at U2.
    • Bono: Aw Jesus lads. Make some space. Mick Jagger didn't have to deal with a bass in his face.
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