Okay, so I like a good romance from time to time, and I like music. So I should have really enjoyed “Once,” a sort of romantic/ musical/ docudrama right? Well, maybe.
“Once” begins with a shot of our main character (played by Glen Hansard) on the streets of Dublin playing the guitar for money. Now this may sound like the beginnings of some sappy, goofy singer/ songwriter love story film, and it sort of is. But with something else going for it: this guy is really good. Seriously. So, he ends up meeting this Girl (yes, that’s her name) played by a darling Marketa Irglova via an impromptu vacuum repair job, and one thing leads to another and before you know it, they’re in a music shop singing a duet. Girl on piano, Guy on guitar, singing, the whole nine. And you know what, I gotta be honest, I was in love. These two got it. Right away we see the girl’s affections for the guy sparking. Then we learn she has a kid and is married! Doh! Guy lives with his father in a small apartment now, after having his heartbroken by a cheating girlfriend, which makes for some good songwriting angst. Guy is falling for Girl too, but with their current circumstances, one wonders how things will ever work out between them.
Now, one of the most obvious perks of this movie is the soundtrack. I mean, these guys are good. Irglova has the sweetest voice and compliments Hansard wonderfully while on screen whether making music or not. Their talents shine (both are actually professional musicians in real life) and the chemistry is there.
But all in all, the movie seems to kind of go nowhere. Not that movies like this are supposed to include explosions and car chases or super- surprising plot twists or something, but it just kind of moves nicely along.
Okay, maybe I’m just bitter because the movie didn’t end the way I wanted it to. Without giving too much away, let’s just say my good old-fashioned romantic appetite was left wanting more.
With all that being said, overall “Once” was enjoyable and it had some heart. And some refreshingly good songs. If you enjoy romantic-type indie films then I would recommend this one, you probably won’t be disappointed.
“Once” is one of my favorite movies. It is totally different than most of American productions. There is absolutely no connection between “Once” and Hollywood’s ‘romantic comedy.’ Going even further I woudn’t call it a romantic film at all. Of course the feelings are involved, but love is only one of many. I find this movie highly inspirational, it is simply a story about two people whose paths cross each other at some point. The soundtrack is so amazing that the first thing you will do after watching the movie is buy it. I warn you, you cannot watch the movie in haste, you have to have the time to think about it, and really sink into the atmosphere. It is a truly great experience and if you start watching it with good approach you will be “Falling Slowly” into it before you know it!