Watch Good Vibrations

Good Vibrations is a 2012 biographical drama film based on the life of Terri Hooley, a music enthusiast who created the first punk rock record label in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The film tells the story of Hooley's journey from a disillusioned and bored former soldier to a passionate music lover and entrepreneur, who risks everything to bring punk rock to Northern Ireland during the height of the Troubles.

The film is set in the late 1970s and early 1980s and shows the bleak and violent atmosphere of Belfast, where terrorism and sectarianism were at their peak. Hooley, played by Richard Dormer, is a young man who is disillusioned with the world around him. He has lost his job, his marriage is failing, and he's struggling to find meaning in his life.

One day, while listening to John Peel's radio show, Hooley hears The Undertones' song "Teenage Kicks". He immediately falls in love with the band and decides to set up his own record label, Good Vibrations, to promote their music. He borrows money from friends and opens a record shop in the troubled district of Belfast known as the "Murder Mile".

Despite the dangers and difficulties of operating a business in such a volatile area, Hooley uses his passion for music and his irreverence for authority to create a thriving punk rock scene in Belfast. Along with The Undertones, he signs other local bands and becomes known as the "godfather of Belfast punk".

Good Vibrations is a powerful and engaging film that captures the spirit of punk rock and its ability to bring people together in times of hardship. The film's soundtrack is filled with iconic punk rock songs, and its vibrant energy is a testament to the transformative power of music.

Richard Dormer gives an outstanding performance as Hooley, portraying him as a likable and flawed character who is driven by his passion for music and his desire to make a difference in the world. The supporting cast, which includes Jodie Whittaker, Adrian Dunbar, and Liam Cunningham, also delivers strong performances.

The film does an excellent job of showing the social and political context in which the punk rock movement emerged in Britain and Northern Ireland. It highlights the struggles of young people in a society torn apart by sectarianism and violence, and shows how music became a way for them to express themselves and find a sense of community.

The film is not without its flaws, however. Some viewers may find the pacing slow at times, and the film's treatment of the Troubles is somewhat superficial. Additionally, some of the characters are underdeveloped and could benefit from more screen time.

Despite these shortcomings, Good Vibrations is a well-crafted and inspiring film that celebrates the power of music to unite people from different backgrounds and transcend the barriers of politics and ideology. It is a tribute to the punk rock movement, which continues to inspire and influence generations of musicians, artists, and activists around the world.

Good Vibrations is a 2013 music movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 42 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2.