Killing Bono (2011)

Two brothers attempt to become global rock stars but can only look on as old school friends U2 become the biggest band in the world.

Director:

Nick Hamm

Writers:

Dick Clement, Ian La Frenais,

Stars:

Ben Barnes, Ralph Brown, Krysten Ritter

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ben Barnes	...	Neil McCormick
Ralph Brown	...	Leo
Jason Byrne	...	Hotel Receptionist
Sam Corry	...	Paul McGuinness
Seán Doyle	...	Larry Mullen Jr.
Sean Duggan	...	Liam
David Fennelly	...	Frankie
Mark Griffin	...	The Edge
Aoife Holton	...	Stella McCormick
Joni Kamen	...	Joss
Thomas Kelly	...	Hopeless Eric
Packy Lee	...	U2 Security Guard
James Lonergan	...	Keith
Lisa McAllister	...	Erika
Aidan McArdle	...	Bill McCormick

Storyline

Two brothers attempt to become global rock stars but can only look on as old school friends U2 become the biggest band in the world.

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Plot Keywords:

u2 | band | teenage boy | rock band | coming of age | 

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Taglines:

Sex, Drugs, and Rock 'n Roll Rivalry

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Genres:

Comedy | Music

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for pervasive language, some sexuality/nudity and drug use

Details

Official Sites:

Official Blog

Country:

UK Ireland

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 April 2011 (UK)

Also Known As:

I Was Bono's Doppelgänger

Filming Locations:

Belfast, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

£112,206 (UK) (1 April 2011)

Gross:

£112,206 (UK) (1 April 2011)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cinema Three, Generator Entertainment, Greenroom Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

114 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Final film of Pete Postlethwaite. It was originally planned that Postlethwaite would have a larger role, but when director Nick Hamm saw how ill he was, he wrote him "a new role that allowed them to film around [his] physical needs and abilities... a very funny, ridiculous part". Three months later Postlethwaite came in to do voice work on the film. Hamm later commented: "It was very apparent when I saw him at that moment that there was no way that this guy was ever going to go on screen or stage again."

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Goofs

When Bono is talking to Neil on the phone offering Shook Up the chance to play support to U2 at Croke Park, Bono's right arm is in a sling at first but the sling changes to his left arm when sitting on the bed.

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Quotes

Ivan McCormick: You made the worst decision of my life!

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Connections

Featured in Ebert Presents: At the Movies: Episode #2.16 (2011)

User Reviews

Pleasant surprise ...

... given that I went watching it without reading a book, seeing trailer, heard which actors are involved or anything else about it.

In case you don't know what is it about, let me repost the plot: "Two brothers attempt to become global rock stars but can only look on as old school friends U2 become the biggest band in the world."

Story is the best part of this movie. Throughout it's entire length I was wondering which way will it go. Will it keep it's mild comedy tone from start to the end, or will it turn to tragedy, given the main character's auto-destructive nature ... or maybe, could it even have some alternative history ending like in "Inglorious Bastards" ? Well, it could have gone either way, and because I don't wanna spoil anything for you, I'll just say I'm most satisfied how it finished.

Also, I have nothing but praises for the cast. Ben Barnes... I'm surprised you still aren't big thing in Hollywood. Weekest link might only be his on-screen brother, the guy with curly hair, but he's not bad enough to ruin the movie ... go watch !