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Once
Fox Searchlight Pictures
Directed By: John Carney
Written By: John Carney
Produced By: Martina Niland
Starring: Glen Hansard, Markéta Irglová, Geoff Minogue, Danuse Ktrestova, Bill Hodnett, Alaistair Foley, Gerard Hendrick, Hugh Walsh
Review Date: August 1, 2007
Alex's Rating: A Discuss this Review on the Blog
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How many times to you find the right person? The answer is also the title of the new film Once directed by relative newcomer John Carney. It’s a modern-day bohemian love story set against some of the most beautiful and passionate music of the year.
The music in this film is much like the independent music we all hear on the radio and think: “that’s a nice tune; I think I’ll get it on iTunes.” Watching the incredible movie Once is like getting a behind the scenes look at what goes into the making of an Indie album. We see how much of the artists heart and soul is poured into their work and how personal each song is.
It makes it easy to love the music when the central characters are so likeable. The film opens on a street musician performing well-known tunes trying to earn a buck. After his own brother attempts to steal his measly earnings, he resumes his street-singing, now performing an original song for the night audience. This is where the musical begins.
Watching the street performer is a smiley flower/“Big Issue” salesgirl. The attractive girl with Czech accent asks him about his music much to his apparent annoyance, yet there is something else there. Intrigue maybe? Appreciation that somebody’s interested in his music? We learn that the street-singer also works as a repairman in vacuum shop, though his true love is his music in true bohemian fashion. The characters, who by the way are only ever known to us as Guy and Girl, make informal plans to see each other again, at which time Guy will take a look at the Girl’s broken Hoover.
They meet on the same street and have lunch together. Girl talks about her piano experience and Guy becomes fascinated and wants to hear her play. She takes him to a music store she knows where the worker lets her play the pianos. They begin playing their respective instruments and decide to try playing one of Guy’s original pieces. What follows is one of the most beautiful musical scenes I have ever seen. The lyrics are so poetic, and appropriate for the scene we are witnessing. Girl picks right up on the piano part and adds her own personal harmony. The song is so beautiful and the scene is just so perfect. It’s one of those rare movie moments that awaken your spirit and makes you feel like you really connect with an artist.
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Throughout the rest of the movie the characters tell their stories through their songs. Glen Hansard who plays Guy and Markéta Irglová who plays Girl are so full of expression while they are singing that the camera is able to stay steady on them for long periods and you still remain enthralled. There’s never a dull moment in the entire movie.
Director John Carney used minimal technical aspects – lighting, sound work, and camera specs – to create an incredibly realistic/voyeuristic feel. We’re watching these people like they’re regulars at a locale we frequent. Every character from the loan officer with secret musical aspirations to the Czech mother who can speak English, but doesn’t feel like it is so real.
I can’t get this movie out of my head. I’ve been listening to the soundtrack over and over again and reliving all the moments in my head. One thing that’s for sure, is that if at least one song from Once does not get nominated for Best Original Song come Oscar season, it will be a crime.
Bottom Line: The title may be Once, but this movie is worth seeing over and over again.
Memorable Quote:
Guy: ”How do I look?”
Worker at Clothing Store: ”You’re gorgeous.”
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