Good Vibrations

Richard Dormer shines as the irrepressible Terri Hooley in this big screen life story of Northern Ireland’s Godfather of punk.

At the height of the Troubles, Hooley defied politics and sanity to open Good Vibrations record shop on Belfast’s most dangerous street. Unwavering in his belief that music could transcend politics and unite a city, the one-eyed music bandit persisted, bringing NI punk bands Rudi, The Outcasts and The Undertones to the fore.
Dormer brings an infectious enthusiasm to his often childlike character. The film doesn’t shy away from showing the cost of his uncompromising beliefs, however. Jodie Whittaker is stunningly sympathetic as his frustrated wife.
The dark realities of the times are depicted through eerie stock footage of the Troubles. And yet the movie find dark comedy even here, as Hooley bribes the loyalists and republicans with records so they won’t bomb his store. “Now, there’s to be no trying to kill me!” he good-naturedly chirps.
Featuring a host of Irish talent including Love/Hate’s Killian Scott, Dylan Moran, writers Glen Patterson and Colin Carberry and editor Nick Emerson, Good Vibrations is charming, witty and utterly infectious.