--- title: "Good Vibrations: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/good-vibrations/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/good-vibrations" critics_score: 72 critics_reviews: 11 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Good Vibrations (2012): what the critics said Critics' score 72 from 11 reviews: 8 positive, 2 mixed, 1 negative. Most critics respond warmly to Good Vibrations, finding an energetic, hopeful biopic about Terri Hooley’s music-promotion work amid Belfast’s Troubles. Praise centres on Richard Dormer, whose charismatic performance gives the film much of its warmth and momentum. The reviews also value its sense of Belfast’s music scene and its understanding of how music can matter personally and politically, with the musical sequences drawing particular enthusiasm. The spread is fairly wide, though even the less persuaded critics tend to admire Dormer. Reservations concern familiar musical-biopic plotting, uneven emphasis and occasional excess length. Time Out remains positive despite finding the genre clichés conspicuous, while Total Film questions the sidelining of Hooley’s neglect of his family. Variety is the clearest dissent, finding that the familiar trajectory and the central character’s contradictions weigh down the film despite its energy and convincing period atmosphere. ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 28 March 2013. Bradshaw finds the biopic warm, lovable and terrific. He especially praises the scene where Hooley discovers punk amid a pogoing crowd. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/mar/28/good-vibrations-review) ## Radio Times — Damon Wise Rating 4/5. Wise finds the biopic an exciting, feel-good reminder of rock’s power. He praises its portrayal of Terri Hooley’s music-promotion work amid Belfast’s Troubles. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-d673oc/good-vibrations/) ## Time Out — Tom Huddleston Rating 4/5. 18 September 2012. The review calls the film genial but overly reliant on rock-movie clichés. It singles out familiar genre elements as its chief weakness. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/good-vibrations) ## Empire — Damon Wise Fi1m's normalised score 78/100 (inferred from the text). 6 March 2013. The critic finds it a joyous, hopeful story of music overcoming division. Richard Dormer’s electric performance as Terri Hooley is singled out for praise. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/good-vibrations-review/) ## Evening Standard Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 30 April 2013. The review finds the biopic cheerful and observant, though somewhat overlong. It praises Richard Dormer’s rollicking performance and the film’s depiction of Belfast’s music scene. [Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/good-vibrations-film-review-8553011.html) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Stephen Farber Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 5 July 2012. Festival review. Farber finds the film charming and energetic, though lightweight and too parochial to attract much attention in America. He praises Richard Dormer’s performance and the lively musical numbers. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/good-vibrations-karlovy-vary-film-review-345597/) ## Screen Daily — Mark Adams Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 1 July 2012. The article is classified as a review, but the paywall hides the critic’s verdict. The accessible text does not reveal what the critic singles out for praise or complaint. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/-good-vibrations/5043917.article) ## Total Film — Kevin Harley Rating 3/5. 22 March 2013. The review finds the biopic likeable but flawed, buoyed by its optimism yet weakened by its imbalance. It praises Richard Dormer’s charming performance while faulting the film for sidelining Terri Hooley’s neglect of his family. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/good-vibrations-review/) ## Variety — Leslie Felperin Fi1m's normalised score 44/100 (inferred from the text). 2 November 2012. Festival review. Felperin finds the film energetic but weighed down by a familiar musical-biopic trajectory and its hero’s contradictions. She praises Richard Dormer’s charismatic performance and the convincing period atmosphere. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2012/film/reviews/good-vibrations-2-1117948671/) ## Eye for Film — Sophie Monks Kaufman Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 30 September 2012. Festival review. The critic calls the film a joyous, beautifully rendered character study. She especially praises Richard Dormer’s vivid, intelligent performance as Terri Hooley. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/good-vibrations-2012-film-review-by-sophie-monks-kaufman) ## HeyUGuys — Craig Skinner Rating 3.5/5. 14 October 2012. Festival review. The critic finds the biopic enjoyable and thoughtful, praising its understanding of music’s personal and political impact. Richard Dormer’s buoyant performance and the sensitive use of archival footage stand out, though some stylistic choices falter. [Read the review](https://www.heyuguys.com/lff-2012-good-vibrations-review/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/good-vibrations.md