Amazon.com: Winner of the World Audience Award at Sundance, Once starts out as a small-scale romance, like Before Sunrise, before arriving somewhere unexpected. An Irish busker (Glen Hansard, the Frames and The Commitments) meets a Czech flower seller (Markéta Irglová) while singing on the streets of Dublin. (In the credits, they're listed as Guy and Girl.) She likes what she hears and lets him know. Turns out she's a musician, too. They work on a few songs together and a friendship is forged. She lives with her widowed mother, who doesn't speak English. He lives with his widowed father, who owns a repair shop. Since he broke up with his girlfriend, the guy has been drifting, unable and unwilling to get his life in order. The girl encourages him to pursue a record deal, and the guy emerges from his funk. Then he makes a move on the girl, who rejects his advances. He's confused, but as he comes to find, there's a reason she's keeping her distance. Though Once is filled with appealing folk-pop by Hansard and Irglová (released on CD as The Swell Season), the movie isn't a traditional musical, but rather a more optimistic Brief Encounter. Filmmaker John Carney, Hansard's former bandmate, captures the real city--in all its affluence and poverty--rather than the picture postcard version. His beautifully shot film serves as a heartfelt ballad about all the underclass Guys and Girls swept aside amidst Ireland's economic miracle. --Kathleen C. Fennessy
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Product Description: A serendipitous meeting on the streets of Dublin between a down on his luck Irish street performer and a poor Czech immigrant sparks a bond that plays out in this hip modern day music film. ONCE follows the two as they write rehearse and record the songs that reveal their unique love story.System Requirements:Run time: 86 minutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA/LOVE & ROMANCE Rating: R UPC: 024543477594 Manufacturer No: 2247759
instant classic when you first watch the movie, you may be thrown by the camera work and rough editing techniques. However, as you continue to watch you realize that this just adds to the personal nature of the film. It is truly a beautiful work of art, from the music to the overall atmosphere created by the story intertwined with the Irish culture and environment. This movie will be cherished for years to come as a genuine, emotion driven film of relationships, about recognizing the miracles in daily life. Highly recommend it. Plus, Amazon is always reliable and the ordering process is a breeze...
I lasted about a half an hour. I know the majority of people that have previously reviewed this picture have given it stellar marks. I'm sorry folks, I tried and I just couldn't get through it. Maybe it's my fault and a "male thing" but I'm more than willing to cop to that. Let's face it... I'm not that deep and I must not be in touch with my feminine side.
The music started off pleasant enough in Once and eventually it wore me down along with the slow pace of the film. I always give a flick at least a half an hour and I barely made it with this one. The music just hurt the film and my ability to stick with it.
The other thing is that it is purely a "chick flick". My wife and daughter doted on every word and nuance. If you're female and want a love story, this may be for you. If you're a guy, let her watch it alone.
Bottom line: This is not a movie for guys who like guy's films. You pray for action, laughs and intrigue... you get none. "Once" is a more than appropriate title when it comes to this viewer... never again.
'Once' as a gift We bought Once as a gift for our 11 year old granddaughter. She loved it, and so did her mother and father, so much so that they have watched it many times now in the space of a couple of months. The film is warm, funny, romantic, musically inspiring and charmingly refreshing.
A Love Story or a Musicians' Story? 'Once' is a love story, but at its heart, it is the struggle of musicians and the creative process. The music itself is an integral character in the show, evolving, expressing serious emotions better than the actors can themselves. For any of you who have, even for a moment, dreamt of creating beautiful music, 'Once' is a version of your story. After watching it, I'd be surprised if even a few musicians could resist downloading the soundtrack.
I adore this film! I can't really add anything to the 200+ reviews. But I will say that this movie has heart, passion and a nontraditional romance that left me in tears. If you have a passion for music, this is definitely worth seeing.
EDIT 6/20/08 - I just saw the Swell Season Concert in Chicago a few days ago and it was by far the best concert I'v ever been to. Even if you don't love the film, you need to see the group live, they are amazing! Can't wait till the come back.
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