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IMDbPro

Killing Bono

  • 2011
  • R
  • 1h 54m
IMDb RATING
6.3/10
6.6K
YOUR RATING
Killing Bono (2011)
In Dublin, two brothers work to become rock stars, but they look on as old school friends U2 become the biggest band in the world.
Play trailer2:03
8 Videos
15 Photos
ComedyMusic

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.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.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
    • Simon Maxwell
  • Stars
    • Ben Barnes
    • Robert Sheehan
    • Krysten Ritter
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    6.3/10
    6.6K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Nick Hamm
    • Writers
      • Dick Clement
      • Ian La Frenais
      • Simon Maxwell
    • Stars
      • Ben Barnes
      • Robert Sheehan
      • Krysten Ritter
    • 26User reviews
    • 62Critic reviews
    • 46Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Videos8

    U.S. Version
    Trailer 2:03
    Watch U.S. Version
    Killing Bono: International Trailer
    Trailer 1:55
    Watch Killing Bono: International Trailer
    Killing Bono: You Too
    Clip 1:22
    Watch Killing Bono: You Too
    Killing Bono: Band Sign-Up
    Clip 0:49
    Watch Killing Bono: Band Sign-Up
    Killing Bono: Behind The Scenes 1
    Featurette 5:56
    Watch Killing Bono: Behind The Scenes 1
    Killing Bono: Behind The Scenes 3
    Featurette 5:59
    Watch Killing Bono: Behind The Scenes 3
    Killing Bono: Behind The Scenes 2
    Featurette 5:39
    Watch Killing Bono: Behind The Scenes 2
    Killing Bono: Behind The Scenes 4
    Featurette 5:02
    Watch Killing Bono: Behind The Scenes 4

    Photos15

    Robert Sheehan and Ben Barnes in Killing Bono (2011)
    Ben Barnes in Killing Bono (2011)
    Robert Sheehan in Killing Bono (2011)
    Killing Bono (2011)
    Robert Sheehan and Ben Barnes in Killing Bono (2011)
    Pete Postlethwaite in Killing Bono (2011)
    Martin McCann, Robert Sheehan, and Ben Barnes in Killing Bono (2011)
    Robert Sheehan and Ben Barnes at an event for Killing Bono (2011)
    Robert Sheehan and Ben Barnes at an event for Killing Bono (2011)
    Ben Barnes at an event for Killing Bono (2011)
    Killing Bono (2011)
    Killing Bono (2011)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Ben Barnes
    Ben Barnes
    • Neil McCormick
    Robert Sheehan
    Robert Sheehan
    • Ivan McCormick
    Krysten Ritter
    Krysten Ritter
    • Gloria
    Ralph Brown
    Ralph Brown
    • Leo
    Jason Byrne
    • Hotel Receptionist
    Sam Corry
    • Paul McGuinness
    Seán Doyle
    Seán Doyle
    • Larry Mullen Jr.
    Sean Duggan
    Sean Duggan
    • Liam
    David Fennelly
    • Frankie
    Mark Griffin
    • The Edge
    Aoife Holton
    • Stella McCormick
    Joni Kamen
    Joni Kamen
    • Joss
    Thomas Kelly
    • Hopeless Eric
    Packy Lee
    Packy Lee
    • U2 Security Guard
    James Lonergan
    • Keith
    Lisa McAllister
    Lisa McAllister
    • Erika
    Aidan McArdle
    Aidan McArdle
    • Bill McCormick
    Martin McCann
    Martin McCann
    • Bono
    • Director
      • Nick Hamm
    • Writers
      • Dick Clement
      • Ian La Frenais
      • Simon Maxwell
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The real brothers Ivan and Neil McCormick made a cameo in this movie. They are the folks watching one of the first gigs in an empty bar.
    • Goofs
      At the bands first practice (in 1976) Ivan McCormick suggests playing a song by Dire Straits. Dire Straits recorded their first album in 1978, so none of them would have known any songs by Dire Straits, let alone have even heard of them.
    • Quotes

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

    • Connections
      Featured in Ebert Presents: At the Movies: Episode #2.16 (2011)
    • Soundtracks
      Gimme Some Skin
      Written by Iggy Pop & James Williamson

      Performed by 'The Hype' sung by Martin McCann

    User reviews26

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    8/10
    I read the negative reviews & tried to hate it, but I couldn't
    I can see how some people may get annoyed at the protagonist of this story. "Killing Bono" is the story of a chronic loser, and from the outset, he makes every bad choice possible, repeats his bad choices, blows just about every golden opportunity to redeem himself. And all the while he cockily convinces himself that he is the last great idealist on the planet. Who would want to sit through 2 hours of this??

    Answer: YOU.

    Maybe it's Ben Barnes' charming portrayal of the loser (a bit like John Ritter's charming loser character Jack Tripper on "Three's Company"), maybe it's the wonderfully acidic script, maybe it's the parade of lovably bizarre characters, or maybe it's the suspense of wanting to know if he actually does kill Bono, as the title & opening flash-forward scene tease us. Whatever it is, something about this film will keep you interested & entertained until the very second the end credits roll.

    Loosely, very loosely based on the memoirs of Bono's 70s school chum and rival rockstar Neil McCormick, this film depicts some true events such as the anemic rise of Neil's 80s pop band "Shook Up!" (they weren't half bad, check out their videos on youtube) and some not-so-true events that really spice things up in the third act. But since this is a comedy, the fictionalizations are strangely believable if not central to the point of the movie.

    "This is not a true story. It is crucial to say that," says director Nick Hamm in the DVD bonus featurette. "You can be real to the story you're telling, but your story doesn't have to be real."

    The real Neil McCormick, when asked about the fictional aspects, sheepishly approved: "We all fictionalise ourselves ... I created a version of myself to suit my book ... Now, someone has created an alternative version. As a deluded, fame-obsessed young man, of course, I never doubted that one day someone would make a film of my life. It just never occurred to me it would be a comedy."

    That it is. A brilliant & entertaining comedy with a compelling theme driving it. Not many comedies have been able to portray the story of a loser in a fun, vibrant way. But if you're familiar with the obscure gems "Buffalo 66", the documentary "Anvil! The Story of Anvil" or the Aussie rocker "Garage Days", you'll have an idea of the treat you have in store here.

    A final note about the music: I think it features only one U2 song ("Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For"), but there are some atmospheric bits that sound hauntingly like U2. There's one song by Neil's band Shook Up! entitled "Stop the World", and most of the other songs seem to be new compositions (or new versions) that actually feature Ben Barnes singing. U2 fans may be disappointed because this is not a movie about U2, although it revolves closely around them. In that respect it's a lot like another great comedy "Grand Theft Parsons" about famed singer Gram Parsons' good friend who decides to steal Gram's body after his death.

    "Killing Bono" is a creatively-told fiction that flirts with truth but ultimately takes us in the opposite direction. Hey, this formula worked in "Amadeus" (Mozart), "Immortal Beloved" (Beethoven) and "Impromptu" (Chopin). Sure, why not Bono?
    helpful•9
    1
    • rooprect
    • Nov 29, 2013

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 1, 2011 (United Kingdom)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • Ireland
    • Official site
      • Official Blog
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Hạ Gục Bono
    • Filming locations
      • Belfast, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, UK
    • Production companies
      • Cinema Three
      • Generator Entertainment
      • Greenroom Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross worldwide
      • $717,798
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 54 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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