Dvd
Once
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, Musical, Drama | 1hr 25mins | Rated (M) | contains offensive language | Origin: Ireland | Official Site »
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Flicks review
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3
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.
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The people's reviews
9 reviews
Press Reviews
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BBC
4
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.
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Dominion Post [Graeme Tuckett]
4
1/2 This is the sort of movie that could renew your faith in the medium... a gorgeous little movie. Go see it...
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Empire Magazine [UK]
4
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...
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NZ Herald [Peter Calder]
5
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...
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The Christchurch Press [Margaret Agnew]
4
This is the musical film for the people who hate musicals, but love music and film. Go see this utterly charming film...
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TV3 [Kate Rodger]
4
1/2 The raw and heartfelt performances, and an ending so perfectly played out, make this movie a must-see...
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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.
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