One day, a teenaged Hewson joined the band Larry Mullin was forming. They are still together. They wanted McCormick’s brother Ivan as second guitarist, but McCormick vetoed the idea without passing along the invitation. He did not lack for confidence, but ability was another matter. Frankly, the McCormicks have decent pop-rock skills, particularly Ivan, but whenever they are poised on the brink of modest success, Neil’s monster inferiority complex scuttles their efforts.
Based on McCormick’s memoir, I was Bono’s Doppelganger, Killing can be downright uncomfortable to watch. Unfortunately, it is also all too believable. Considerably more talented musicians than McCormick have compulsively sabotaged their careers. However, the title and the allusions to John Lennon’s murder book-ending the flashback-narrative are somewhat deceptive. The film is not really that dark.
Serviceably helmed by Hamm, Killing nicely recreates the vibe of the 1980’s, providing some nostalgia for those who grew up when MTV played music videos. Despite the obvious pitfalls of the role, Martin McCann is surprisingly effective as Bono, humanizing the iconic celebrity in several telling scenes, while convincingly capturing his physical presence and mannerisms. However, the rest of the band (including The Edge) gets somewhat short shrift, appearing only briefly in subservient supporting roles.
It remains debatable whether Neil McCormick’s epic futility can really carry a picture, but Ben Barnes certainly tries his darnedest. He is quite credible both rocking-out on stage and angsting-out in private. Conversely, his attempts to develop romantic chemistry with Krysten Ritter (playing his manager Gloria) are rather weak and perfunctory. Sadly, Killing is also distinguished as the final film of the late great character actor Pete Postlethwaite. Alas, Karl the queenish landlord is largely written as an all too familiar stereotype, but the ailing Postlethwaite seems to enjoy portraying his flamboyant naughtiness as a change of pace from his heavier roles.
