Watch Killing Bono

"Killing Bono" is a 2011 biographical comedy-drama film, directed by Nick Hamm, and starring Ben Barnes, Robert Sheehan, and Krysten Ritter. The movie is based on a memoir "Killing Bono: I Was Bono's Doppelganger" by Neil McCormick, a journalist and musician who had a school friendship with Bono, the lead singer of U2. The film follows the story of Neil McCormick (played by Sheehan) and his younger brother Ivan McCormick (played by Barnes), who form a band named "The Hype" in the late 1970s in Dublin, Ireland. Their aim is to become famous and dethrone their high school classmates, Bono (played by Martin McCann) and his band U2, who become an overnight success.

Neil and Ivan struggle to make it big in the music industry and have a few near-miss encounters with famous record producers. They even change the name of their band to "Shook Up!" and adopt a new punk rock style to attract attention. However, due to poor management decisions and a lack of commercial success, they fail to achieve their dreams.

Meanwhile, U2 reaches the pinnacle of fame, and Neil starts resenting Bono for his success. In a moment of misjudgment, Neil signs away the rights to some of his original songs to a dodgy music promoter, Hammond (played by Pete Postlethwaite), who was involved with organized crime. This leads to a series of comic mishaps and dangerous situations, as Neil and Ivan try to undo their mistake and get their songs back.

The movie is a mix of humor, drama, and music. The soundtrack is filled with original songs and covers of popular rock tracks by bands like The Clash, The Beatles, and The Who. The actors give solid performances, especially Robert Sheehan, who portrays the conflicted character of Neil McCormick with a blend of bravado and vulnerability.

The film also has a strong supporting cast, which includes Martin McCann as Bono, who brings a touch of authenticity to the portrayal of the U2 frontman. Krysten Ritter plays the role of Gloria, a love interest for Ivan, and a rival music manager, who adds to the tension between the two brothers.

"Killing Bono" is a story about the price of fame, the struggles of following one's dreams, and the importance of staying true to oneself. It offers a fresh take on the underdog story and provides insight into the difficulties of making it in the music industry.

Overall, "Killing Bono" is an entertaining and engaging movie, with a rock and roll spirit and a heartwarming message. It is a must-watch for music lovers and anyone who has ever chased a dream.

Killing Bono is a 2011 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 54 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3 and a MetaScore of 46.