Line of Duty and NCIS star’s 90s drama Hear My Song hailed as a ‘treasure’

There’s nothing quite like watching a film from a bygone era, and Channel 4 recently added one of the best from the 1990s, and it was written by Line of Duty’s Adrian Dunbar.

Not only did Adrian write the film, but he also stars in the 1991 hit as club promoter Mikey O’Neill, who attempts to woo his patrons by signing the legendary Irish tenor, Josef Locke. However, given the film is a comedy-drama, as you can expect, things don’t always go smoothly.

The film is currently streaming for free on Channel 4, but audiences have only a month to tune in for the BAFTA-nominated film, which is due to leave the streaming site on 4 July. 

It wasn’t just the BAFTAs where Hear My Song was recognised, as it was also nominated at the Golden Globes, while winning at the British Comedy Awards, Evening Standard British Film Awards and the London Film Critics Circle.

Who stars in Hear My Song?

As we mentioned, the film is led by Line of Duty star Adrian Dunbar, who plays the struggling Liverpudlian club owner Mikey. He’s joined by Tara Fitzgerald (Game of Thrones) as Nancy Doyle and Hollywood star Ned Beatty (All the President’s Men) as Jo Locke.

Also featured in the film are David McCallum (NCIS), Shirley Anne Field (My Beautiful Laundrette), William Hootkins (Star Wars), James Nesbitt (Cold Feet), John Dair (Porridge), Stephen Marcus (Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels) and the professional tenor Vernon Midgley, who provided the singing voice of Jo Locke.

What did fans make of Hear My Song?

The classic comedy received plenty of praise from viewers, as one hailed the film as one of the “great unheralded movies of all time”. They added: “The film is filled with glorious visuals like this one. I’ve liked every movie [director Peter] Chelsom has made since, but he seems to get a bum rap from the press. Nonetheless, he will always be remembered for giving us this treasure.“

A second posted: “This is a great little movie full of charm, fun and whimsy. Just enjoy it for what it is and the one liners you get from time to time,” while a third added: “Gee, good story. Great scenery. Excellent acting. Great music.”

Praising the film’s soundtrack, another commented: “A lovely whimsical plot, painting a picture of Irish fantasy, fairies and all, over the true life background of a great singer. And a beautiful soundtrack featuring original Locke recordings reminds us of just how moving a pure tenor voice can be. Who on earth needs techno and rap?”

Hear My Song was also praised by critics, with the film holding a 90% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. At the time of its initial release, veteran film critic Roger Ebert opined: “Hear My Song is the very soul of a great small film.”