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Once

Once

Steven Spielberg calls it the one film that gave him inspiration in 2007. Flicks has been hearing a few good words, too.

Essentially a musical, this is the charming Dublin-set tale of a thirty-something street performer and vacuum cleaner repairman known only as Guy (Glen Hansard, lead singer of The Frames) and a Czech Republic immigrant, single mother and rose-seller known only as Girl (Markéta Irglová). Meeting after one of his late-night performances, the two strike up an intimate friendship rooted in their shared misfit situations and musicianship dreams, the latter leading to a tentative collaboration in front of the ol' piano.

Starring Glen Hansard, Markéta Irglová, Senan Haugh, Danuse Ktrestova, Bill Hodnett

Directed by John Carney

Written by John Carney

Festivals & Awards New Zealand International Film Festival 2007; Sundance 2007 - Audience Award Winner

Romance, Drama, Musical | 1hr 25mins | Rated (M) | contains offensive language | Origin: Ireland

Flicks review

  • I jumped at the chance to see Dublin-set Once, hoping that it would paint a pretty picture of the Irish city that I felt had disenchanted me as a visitor. The critics' reviews were glowing; even Mr. Spielberg had an endorsement on the poster. Alas, much like my travels, I was somewhat underwhelmed.

    The film turns out to be a sweet rendition of unrequited love. In fact, it's more innocent than that. It's about two kindred spirits who find solace in each other before they part as quickly as they met. It's unique in the respect that there is no sex or snogging, just genuine friendship and appreciation of each other's talents. So far, so good.

    Sadly, this great idea is squandered by a visual style that looks like the film was made for a tenner that the director found under his bar stool. If you don't have much money then a good story will usually suffice, but the digital camerawork in this thing is uniformly shoddy. The camera wobbles all over the place and the sets aren't lit properly. A crane shot sticks out like a sore thumb - they must have forked out for that one. If this was the style they were going for, it looks bad.

    The music isn't to everyone's taste either. If I had my way, singer-songwriters, troubadours, and minstrels would join together and remove themselves to the far side of the galaxy. Just like those Spanish prats at youth hostels who bring their out-of-tune guitars down to the lobby and irritate everyone else with their renditions of sensitive love songs. It's a bit painful.

    Luckily, lead Glen Hansard has a likeable screen presence, and he carries the film with his Oirish charms. It certainly breaks your heart to meet these two great friends who share the same passions but will never take things further. Once is one for the romantics. It's scruffy but sweet. And... kind of underwhelming.

    By Andrew Hedley, Flicks.co.nz

 Our Rating       3

The Peoples voice

  • Not a bad story...

     3

    I quite liked it, my wife thought it was boring.
    Not high on impact, glad we found a wet day to go.

    By Brian

  • Enjoyable and Endearing

     5

    Unassuming great little movie that had me reading the credits to see who these people were.

    By Michael

  • Not what i thought it would be........

     5

    I had no idea what to expect as i had not seen any reviews.....but by gosh it was everything and more. Fantastic movie, breathtaking music...a raw honest energy that you don't often find in a movie these days. Got to find the sound track!

    By Donna Lyon

  • taking the musical to new places

     4

    This movie is a must see. The characters are so real, the story unfolds with rich emotion and you literally feel like you know these people - the next day you want to sing their songs.

    By Deb

  • Average

     3

    My wife liked this movie. I found it boring, but I was bored and tired of staring at the back of the seat in front. Therefore I'm rating it generously because I must allow for the smallness of the 'in-flight theatre' screen.
    As I remember, this is a story about a musician wannabe and a girl who becomes interested, for whatever reason; one of those stories that seems to be going nowhere but you stay with it to see what will unfold, and unsurprisingly, doesn't quite get there.

    By Steve Searle

  • I yawned once and couldn't stop...

     3

    I'm sorry, but I was a bit bored. I'm not a blockbuster fan, I usually love these sorts of Indie flicks. Yes, it's very sweet and after a good funny beginning, showed great promise - but despite the characters being very likeable (the acting & dialogue is certainly excellent) - the songs go oooonnnnnn way too long - and then start repeating themselves.. eek!!. After the 2nd or was it the 3rd playing of one of their duets, I was looking at my watch and thinking about stumbling over legs in the dark to get out, but decided to stick it out to see if anything really interesting was going to happen. Sadly it did not. Like half a cup of warm milk: pleasant at the time, but forgotten once finished - this might even send you to sleep!

    By Tracy B

  •  5

    You cannot watch this film without being impacted in some way. I had goosebumps from the very first song that they sang together. The way it was filmed makes you feel like your watching their private home movie - the characters and acting is so real. The subtle humour is great, the songs beautiful - I absolutely loved it.

    By Lleu

  • Once seen, never forgotten.

     5

    The smile never left my face. A quietly, satisfying movie with generous and heartfelt performances from these two newcomers to the screen

    By Dianne Schmidt

  • This movie makes you feel good about life all over again

     5

    Stories like this aren't accidents, this movie is exquisitely crafted it builds and explores the simple innocent joy of music and how it creates and build relationships and heals hurts.

    By Stephen

 Collective Voice    0000000000004.50

Your review has been posted, you have spoken, and for that we thank you. – Ed.

Tell us all that is right or wrong with this flick:

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Press Reviews

  • BBC

    4 4 out of 5 stars

    Think movie musicals, think stagey sets, glittery costumes, impromptu warbling and total fakeness, right? Not if you consider Once; an unassuming Irish indie that, for all its lack of gloss, outstrips its high budget American counterparts with sheer charm and sensitivity.
    Click to read the full review

  • Dominion Post [Graeme Tuckett]

    4 4 out of 5 stars

    1/2 This is the sort of movie that could renew your faith in the medium... a gorgeous little movie. Go see it...
    Click to read the full review

  • Empire Magazine [UK]

    4 4 out of 5 stars

    The year’s most pleasant cinematic surprise. Once has enough heart, wit, verve and sheer songwriting genius to ensure you’ll see it far more times than its title suggests...
    Click to read the full review

  • NZ Herald [Peter Calder]

    5 5 out of 5 stars

    I'm scared to say how good it is for fear of overselling it; it's such a tiny, fragile thing and, on paper, sounds so improbable. But the unaffected charm of its two main characters, neither of whom is named, gets utterly under your skin...
    Click to read the full review

  • The Christchurch Press [Margaret Agnew]

    4 4 out of 5 stars

    This is the musical film for the people who hate musicals, but love music and film. Go see this utterly charming film...
    Click to read the full review

  • TV3 [Kate Rodger]

    4 4 out of 5 stars

    1/2 The raw and heartfelt performances, and an ending so perfectly played out, make this movie a must-see...
    Click to read the full review

  • Variety [USA]

    Winningly unpretentious tale uses a wispy romantic narrative as a vehicle for attractive original tunes. Pic's charm seems so offhand one might not notice the skill with which helmer John Carney pulls it off, or how it plays like a full-blown musical without anyone bursting into song.
    Click to read the full review

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