Once (2007)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Sam B

  
  An intensely organic musical that will appeal more to musicians, Once lets viewers feel the passion of the two main characters through their musical performances, which unfold as a natural process of the story, unlike most musicals. Despite not being trained actors, both Glen Hansard… More
  An intensely organic musical that will appeal more to musicians, Once lets viewers feel the passion of the two main characters through their musical performances, which unfold as a natural process of the story, unlike most musicals. Despite not being trained actors, both Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova give likable performances, though Hansard is clearly more skilled. While the narrative itself is pretty basic and many of the scenes are akin to bland montages, as a whole the film is a beautiful narrative video album - and a good album at that. The music itself is highly recommended.

• Jon L

  
  I had really high expectations and hopes for this film, but after watching it, I really hate to say it was one of the most boring films I have ever seen. Looking at it as a "video album" it's not bad and the music is sensational, but as a narrative film it didn't… More
  I had really high expectations and hopes for this film, but after watching it, I really hate to say it was one of the most boring films I have ever seen. Looking at it as a "video album" it's not bad and the music is sensational, but as a narrative film it didn't give me any connection to the characters. It's a slice of life out of the characters' lives. Hitchcock said films are "Life with all the boring parts taken out." Well without trying to sound condescending, this was the opposite. On a lighter note, the music is wonderful, but I would have much rather listened to the soundtrack than the film.

• Alice S

  
  Twenty minutes into the movie, I thought, "Aww everything everyone said about this movie pre-Oscar season 2008 is truuuueee!" Quirky opening scene and meet-cute. Sweet and likable main characters. Moving music. After that though, the movie devolves into long and amateur… More
  Twenty minutes into the movie, I thought, "Aww everything everyone said about this movie pre-Oscar season 2008 is truuuueee!" Quirky opening scene and meet-cute. Sweet and likable main characters. Moving music. After that though, the movie devolves into long and amateur YouTube videos, showcasing very good songs, albeit in very staid ways in terms of mise-en-scene. Glen Hansard is like John Mayer's manic older brother, and I mean that in a good way. Marketa Irglova has a lovely face and singing voice, but methinks the language barrier tripped her up. The character is written to say "fuck" too much, and Irglova doesn't sell each swear. I remember the pair's Oscar win debacle when the orchestra started playing before Irglova could give her thanks. I was sad to hear they called it quits after the movie :~(

• Jim H

  
  A guitarist and a piano player form a musical partnership that eventually compels him to reform his life. The story and to some degree the method of telling this story are both interesting, but it is so over-loaded with music that the characters' arcs took a backseat to yet… More
  A guitarist and a piano player form a musical partnership that eventually compels him to reform his life. The story and to some degree the method of telling this story are both interesting, but it is so over-loaded with music that the characters' arcs took a backseat to yet another indie rock number. Also, there is a lot left unexplained. What is the back-story surrounding the girl and her husband? What about the Busker's girlfriend? Why does she resist a relationship, especially considering the same obstacles present themselves no matter whom she ends up with? These character questions aren't tangential to the plot, and the audience deserves some kind of explanation, but instead we get more musical numbers. These songs are good, and I'm even mildly interested in the soundtrack, but good, soulful, well-written music does not make a whole film.

• Bethany M

  
  Walked out half way through. Truly awful! The acting was terrible. Really bad.

• Lady D

  
  It really helps with this film, if you are passionate about music and singer songwriters to apprecieate the depth of feeling that went into making this film. The brilliantly talented stars of the film are musicians turned Actors, but did equally as well in their natural… More
  It really helps with this film, if you are passionate about music and singer songwriters to apprecieate the depth of feeling that went into making this film. The brilliantly talented stars of the film are musicians turned Actors, but did equally as well in their natural performances throughout the film. The friendship connection here is electrical and the voices and instruments together, make for a great movie soundtrack (I know I've bought Soundtrack and DVD since watching this). What's probably perfection about this piece is the pure simplicity of the storyline, which highlights the interaction between the cast members. So impressed with this film, this is one I will be watching over and over and a day hasn't gone by since, that I haven't listed to Falling Slowly.

• Chris W

  
  I'd give this 4.25 if I could. It gets a letter grade of something arounf the B+ to A- range. I really liked it, but at the same time, had a hard time sitting down to watch it. Guess I was just too tired and worn out from watching Lawrence of Arabia earlier in the day. This… More
  I'd give this 4.25 if I could. It gets a letter grade of something arounf the B+ to A- range. I really liked it, but at the same time, had a hard time sitting down to watch it. Guess I was just too tired and worn out from watching Lawrence of Arabia earlier in the day. This is a nice and sweet little film, but it's not for all tastes. If you like low-budget, independet, plot-light documentary style musicals shot on DV, then you'll absolutely love this. For everyone else,well, it's hit or miss. It is a musical, but the music is absolutely wonderful, and it helps that the two leads are actual musicians and recording partners. If you don't like musicals, I would avoid this, because much of the movie is verite stuff without people sitting around making music. The performances are quite good and very naturalistic. They fit the style and concept of the film well. For artistically inclined romantics, you'll probably be able to relate to this. The direction is very free and loose, yet has control without it being too noticeable, if that makes any sense . I don't know if I'd watch this one too often, but I can't see myself not seeing it again.

• Jeremy S

  
  A little music film that moves emotional mountains. Once is diamond in the ruff. Amateurishly filmed, it looks as if it was shot by someone with a handheld camera (I guess anyone can make a movie these days) a painfully obvious small to no existent budget, with actors that seems as… More
  A little music film that moves emotional mountains. Once is diamond in the ruff. Amateurishly filmed, it looks as if it was shot by someone with a handheld camera (I guess anyone can make a movie these days) a painfully obvious small to no existent budget, with actors that seems as though they were taken from the streets of Dublin, and an even smaller production quality, Once is not slick, not spectacular and definitely not your average Hollywood music film and yet it is a truly moving film. At the heart of Once is it?s soulful music, better than most of the rubbish on the radio or on the pop charts, the music comes from the soul and brings the film to life. The music acts as dialogue saying more than the ordinary conversation ever could, and offers the audience a poetic look at the inner most feelings of the characters. A modern day romantic fairytale set in the ordinary spoken world and in the spiritual sung world, alternating between the two. And yet the two worlds only really come together for a brief moment and then are pulled apart and there lies the sad truth. The realities of the world await the characters once the music writing, making and singing end. A beautiful film full of humanity Once is a gem. A film like Once only really comes around once in a while, so don?t miss it.

• Jens S

  
  This beautiful story of two musicians becoming friends (and more?) on the streets of Dublin is a little wonder of a film. Not only does it feel very fresh, natural and real, the movie doesn't even need a lot of words to make us feel for the two lovely main characters. The songs… More
  This beautiful story of two musicians becoming friends (and more?) on the streets of Dublin is a little wonder of a film. Not only does it feel very fresh, natural and real, the movie doesn't even need a lot of words to make us feel for the two lovely main characters. The songs they sing do not feel out of place or forced into the scene, like in many other musicals, but as an important part. When they sing "Falling slowly" together for the first time in an instrument store it's impossible not to fall for this film. Of course it helps that the rest of the songs are just as wonderful. The sweet humor is another plus and so it feels those 95 minutes are over way too quickly, and we would have loved to follow those two around a little longer. Wonderful, touching, lovable.

• Carlos M

  
  A truly special, magical, captivating love story with a beautiful soundtrack, this film is sweet, romantic, told in such a simple way, and it presents two adorable characters that never seem unreal.

• Jake .

  
  This movie completely blew me away. Its simple and sweet, optimistic and charming. Personally, I love musicals and movies like this with lots of music in them; So, i was kind of hooked from the start. That is really all there is to it. Once is not complicated in any way. Its a bit… More
  This movie completely blew me away. Its simple and sweet, optimistic and charming. Personally, I love musicals and movies like this with lots of music in them; So, i was kind of hooked from the start. That is really all there is to it. Once is not complicated in any way. Its a bit like a Irish Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist. Idk, I absolutely loved and want to watch it again. soon.

• Fernando Rafael Q

  
  Simple and unconventional, ONCE's concept is very appealing, but it falls short of its goal: change the musical as we know it. This very low-budget flick works fantastically as an "unplugged" special, but as a film, it feels like a not-so-interesting home movie.… More
  Simple and unconventional, ONCE's concept is very appealing, but it falls short of its goal: change the musical as we know it. This very low-budget flick works fantastically as an "unplugged" special, but as a film, it feels like a not-so-interesting home movie. All in all, ONCE is a nice little experiment by two musicians, with incredible songs, but not much apart from that.

• Ken S

  
  Way way way overrated. However, most of the songs are quite good. The actual film left much to be desired, but I can definitely see however how this film would appeal to the "want to be artist" or the "frustrated spouse" crowd.<br/><br/>The message of… More
  Way way way overrated. However, most of the songs are quite good. The actual film left much to be desired, but I can definitely see however how this film would appeal to the "want to be artist" or the "frustrated spouse" crowd.<br/><br/>The message of the female characters (they didn't even bother to give her a name) journey seems to be that a biological partner is more important than a loving one. Why is it necessary in this film for two people not in relationships to go back to there unhappy/unhealthy ex's?

• Craig S

  
  <u><b>Directed by:</u></b> John Carney. <u><b>Starring:</u></b> Glen Hansard, Marketa Irglova. <i><<"How come you don't play during daytime? I see you here everyday"..."During the daytime people would… More
  <u><b>Directed by:</u></b> John Carney. <u><b>Starring:</u></b> Glen Hansard, Marketa Irglova. <i><<"How come you don't play during daytime? I see you here everyday"..."During the daytime people would want to hear songs that they know, just songs that they recognize. I play these songs at night or I wouldn't make any money. People wouldn't listen"..."I listen.">></i> The story, like a modern-day musical, is set in Dublin where 'Guy' is a busker who plays guitar on the streets to get his way through. When he meets a beautiful immigrant during a busy week, they soon find a connection between themselves through there music. Wow...this film is bound to keep me breathless for some time. Not in such a long time have I seen a film so beautifully rich and pure in what it tries to bring forward in its story. The films idea is simple enough, even to the point that the main characters names are simply Guy and Girl...but that's never the point of the film, what makes it work is everything else. Underneath the musical surface lies a simple story, a guy meets a girl and they share a connection through there passion for music. Now without the music this would still have been a fine little film, with both leads having an incredible spark on screen together and the story touching nicely upon its well laid out characters, but what takes it up many levels is the music. Not in a long time have I felt touched by what has been played on screen. Glen and Marketa's music is pure poetry, such thoughtful and rich lyrics and a beautiful tone to every song played, each verse and chorus adds a brilliant emotional core and meaning to the films themes, it nearly bought me to tears...and for Glen and Marketa's first acting roles, outside their brilliant performances with their music, they deliver perfectly. An exquisite and rich story of the bonds between two people through there love for music. A beautiful love story without the clichés, Once is up there with the greatest films of 2007...and one of the best 'musicals' in years. <p><b>91/100</b> <i><< "What's the Czech for 'Do you love him'?" >></i>

• E.J. B

  
  With all these big budget musicals being pumped out of a Hollywood Assembly Line that do nothing for anybody, Once is a rarity. It is beautiful, romantic, and inspirational. The two main characters communicate their thoughts, feelings, and hopes through their music. They need to… More
  With all these big budget musicals being pumped out of a Hollywood Assembly Line that do nothing for anybody, Once is a rarity. It is beautiful, romantic, and inspirational. The two main characters communicate their thoughts, feelings, and hopes through their music. They need to get over their own demons, but they need each other to fall back on. Made on a shoestring budget, this little Indie from Ireland is the best film I've seen so far this year.

• Nicki M

  
  Not quite as good as some people would have you believe, but still a nice movie and kind of sad too.

• Bob O

  
  Once may be the greatest musical film in many years. It's not a musical in the way that Hairspray or Chicago are musicals. It's a film about how music touches our lives. It's about two strangers who are both completely driven by music and somehow they find each other… More
  Once may be the greatest musical film in many years. It's not a musical in the way that Hairspray or Chicago are musicals. It's a film about how music touches our lives. It's about two strangers who are both completely driven by music and somehow they find each other and through their common love manage to better one anothers lives. It's truly a beautiful film that lets the music itself convey the narrative. Just the tone of the song or the way it's sung wonderfully displays emotions of all kind in the characters as well as in the viewer. The film was shot for little money in the streets of Dublin and feels more like a documentary of two struggling musicians than a scripted film. It's amazing that a film that's just under 90 minutes and made with just an insignificant fraction of the budget of most Hollywood films can have ten times the raw emotion and be far more involving than anything I've seen that year. It's a very simple extremely accessible, relative story that's so wonderfully complex in it's characterisation and emotion that I can't convey it's power. It's a jem. And it proves that you don't need a Hollywood budget to create something incredibly moving and endearing. Those that don't like the music won't like the film nearly as much and I feel sorry for them because with the music telling the story this movies a deeply engaging experience. You don't watch this film as much as you feel it. If you feel this one as I did you won't soon forget it.

• Jani H

  
  I been thinking nearly for a day, what to write about, how to describe it all. I've now listened to some songs from the soundtack and I'm obviously in love with the film and its music. The songs are mellancolic acoustic songs about losing your faith in love etc, but the… More
  I been thinking nearly for a day, what to write about, how to describe it all. I've now listened to some songs from the soundtack and I'm obviously in love with the film and its music. The songs are mellancolic acoustic songs about losing your faith in love etc, but the story itself is one of the most beautiful, optimistic and realistic that I've seen for a while. The two non-professional actors, Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, act in a very charming and realistic way. They really do an outstanding job and outshine all the so called "A-list" Hollywood actors. The script does not concentrate on building the backstory, everything will be explained as the story develops. The film is shot at handheld and gives you the feeling that you are present on the sets. It felt kinda strange at the beginning, because I'm not a huge fan of it, but it works in this one. And the music... I can't describe it in any other way than pure perfection. The lyrics are like deeper, extra thoughts that are easier to explain by performing them. Glen Hansard has an exceptionally beautiful voice. He and Ms Irglova really deserved the Oscar for best song. You can't forget the film and its music after watching it. "Once" is a true low-budget indie masterpiece about facing your romantic challenges in life, and to which all of us can easily relate to. This film, a touching and honest gem, will stay in every movie lovers heart til the end.

• Bruce B

  
  Not sure how I added this one to my list of films to see, maybe because of Sundance Film Festival. The Music is great, its boy meets girl, boy is broken hearted, and she is stand offish, isn't that how it always is. Anyway a film worth seeing.

• paul s

  
  Why does music reach us, and on what level? Here it highlights the pent up passion of two musicians who meet, feel the need for each other, and yet in the end it's their baggage that keeps them apart. Sad, but ultimately there is triumph as each will cherish and remember… More
  Why does music reach us, and on what level? Here it highlights the pent up passion of two musicians who meet, feel the need for each other, and yet in the end it's their baggage that keeps them apart. Sad, but ultimately there is triumph as each will cherish and remember that time and place and how, through their meeting, their own lives and goals became clarified. Art gets created and both charactors get healed enough to attempt reconcilliation with their former loves. Whether this is defeatist, just falling into old habits, is up to the viewer to decide - but since both charactors went through this cathartic experience to even attempt to get back to where they once were, it seems that this is a move forward instead of back. A wonderful soundtrack with passion conveys all the veiled hurt, and the director uses a kind of MTV dream collage to assist a musical number where the old love is recalled - spinning the possibility that the recollections sung about are whitewashed versions through rose glasses, distorted by yearning for what he thought he had. There's a very nice visual towards the end, showing the Czech woman playing the piano that was his parting gift to her, as her life revolves around her (the goings on in her apartment). She looks out the window as the camera pans back until she is just a picture framed in a window, one of many. Another nice touch is a "getting to know you" conversation that the two have early in the film - as they walk away from the camera, the conversation fades away; making the viewer feel as if they were actually listening in to the conversation.

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