Once

Starring: Glen Hansard, Markéta IrglovÃ¡, Alaistair Foley, Geoff Minogue

Directed by: John Carney

RS: 3.5of 4 Stars Average User Rating: 3.5of 4 Stars

2007 Fox Searchlight All Movies

Summer brings out the Bigfoot in Hollywood with blockbusters at the ready to stomp out any movie that values simplicity and sincere emotion. Well, don't let summer squash Once, the Irish musical from writer-director John Carney that struck a lyrical chord at Sundance earlier this year. Cut through the Spidey-Shrek hype and seek it out. You won't be sorry. It's a magical, beguiling wonder. When I say Irish musical, think U2, not Riverdance, and get set for a gift of a movie that is absolutely worth seeing more than once. The Frames frontman Glen Hansard stars as a Dublin songwriter who takes his guitar to the streets and sings himself hoarse to deaf ears. That is, until he meets a pretty Czech pianist (Marketa Irglova) who gives him the guts to quit his dad's repair shop and start finding the bucks to make a recording. That's it, a bittersweet love story with ravishing Hansard music ("Falling Slowly" is a killer) and the ache of romance in its soul. Nothing about this mood piece should work -- the budget is shoestring and the actors are inexperienced. But Once brims with small pleasures that pay major dividends. Carney, who played bass for the Frames till 1993, is a filmmaker to watch. Blending the hip and the heartfelt, the tough and the tender, he creates a movie you want to hold close.

PETER TRAVERS

(Posted: May 17, 2007)

Your Turn

Give us your review of
Once

Review 1 of 4

4of 4 Stars

Great movie and great music. Enjoyable, realistic, warm. A nice experience to watch and to listen to some really good music.

Feb 1, 2008 18:57:59

Review 2 of 4

3of 4 Stars

Its stripped down style and rough camera felt like a
documentary. Could this be propaganda for catapulting Glen's
career in the U.S. via a feature-length music video? Maybe. Am I
buying it? You bet! The music and lyrics stand on their own. The
pictures help you remember the passion behind the music. Not
really a love story, in my opinion. Their "relationship" was
convenient in furthering his career. But maybe that's just the
cynic in me.

Aug 7, 2007 07:23:12

Review 3 of 4

4of 4 Stars

The camera melts away and one is left with the experience of having spent an intimate few hours with close friends. The emotions are bitter sweet but honest and not contrived. And the music winds its way through the movie to keep the plot moving and maintain its emotional intensity. Great movie.

Jun 21, 2007 10:54:25

Review 4 of 4

4of 4 Stars

I just saw twelve movies at the Jacksonville Film Festival and "Once" was my favorite by far! Forget the crap Hollywood is foisting on an all too receptive public. "Once" you see this movie, you won't forget it.

May 22, 2007 06:30:43

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