"It is funny on occasions. Not side-splitting, but certainly generates the odd chuckle here and there"

There are two reasons as to why you may decide to go and see Nick Hamm’s Killing Bono. Either you want to see if the film’s title actually lives up to its name, or you may go to see a hilarious, inventive comedy. Sadly, you may be disappointed on both counts.

Killing Bono is a story based on real events as it follows Neil (Ben Barnes) and Ivan (Robert Sheehan) McCormick, desperately trying to make a name for themselves in the elusive music industry, whilst having to watch their old school peers rise to worldwide fame as the rock band U2.

Based on the novel ‘Killing Bono: I was Bono’s Doppelganger’, by the real Neil McCormick, it’s a film with an intelligent and unique story line. Potentially hilarious in its originality, it could be brilliant. However, it lacks the consistent humour to match its innovation, and the sincerity to match its novelty.

Generally, Irish comedy comes with an earnestness and surrealism that often leads to it becoming somewhat fantastical, but despite being funny in parts, Killing Bono lacks the imperative Irish charm and ingenuity that it, with such an intriguing plot-line, should really possess.

Having said that, Peter Serafinowicz, playing the ignorant and rather dense record label executive Hammond, is hilarious. His ability to play the part of a seemingly important character, yet coming across as being so thick and impressionable provides the film with a certain spark. Another highlight is the performance of the late Pete Postlethwaite in his final feature film. His role of the very camp landlord Karl is well-performed and uproarious, as the great actor almost steals the show despite the fact his character is generally quite insignificant in the grand scheme of things.

It is funny on occasions. Not side-splitting, but certainly generates the odd chuckle here and there. However, it could have surprisingly benefited from a few more rough edges, and be slightly less polished. It’s telling quite a gritty tale, albeit with some surrealistic aspects, of two brothers desperately trying to become famous, whilst owing money to a treacherous Irish gangster Danny Machin (Stanley Townsend) and living in a grotty flat in London. In scenes where Neil argues with his girlfriend Gloria (Krysten Ritter), it features the typically placed stopping abruptly in the street and looking at the moon with pierced eyes, whilst the betraying lover lingers in the background, trying to fight for his love. It isn’t that type of feature and it’s almost been too Americanised and could have profited greatly from being, well, more Irish.

It is worth seeing. It tells an interesting story, and it features some fine performances from the leading roles, including a very convincing performance by Martin McCann as Bono, as he pulls-off that annoying, self-righteous grin that the singer famously possesses. I just felt that it could have been better. It’s an intriguing story and boasts a good cast – but it lacks any real edge preventing it from being the great film it could have so easily been. And, as it’s based on real events, Bono obviously survives - you have been warned.