Summary written by Omar P.L. Moore
Once in a lifetime it seems, a beautiful and honest romance story hits the
big screen, and in its bare-boned nakedness John Carney's "Once" is a singular
sensation and a truly heartfelt poem. Music is the food of love in a
partnership between musicians (played by real-life musician-songwriters Glen
Hansard and Marketa Irglova) who cultivate a warmth and friendship as they
compose songs for an album they are putting together. The Guy is a busker
from the streets of Ireland, the Girl is a pianist from the Czech Republic.
A musical match made in heaven, with amazing songs composed and created by Ms.
Irglova and Mr. Hansard, "Once" is set in Ireland. The film takes an
unsentimental approach, but the music is the emotional power behind such an
otherwise tender film, not to mention the natural acting by the two leads, who
haven't had major acting roles on the big screen prior to this (Mr. Hansard had
a small role in Alan Parker's film "The Commitments" in the nineties.)
Their song "Falling Slowly" is a plaintive and powerful refrain in "Once" --
it's a song that has passion and desperation fueling it. "Once" is musical
poetry in motion, and Mr. Carney, who also wrote the film is the master
conductor.
Significant line of the film: "What's the Czech for, "do you love him?"
(Spoken by the Guy to the Girl)
Film's length: One hour and 25 minutes
"Once" is now available on DVD in the U.S. and Canada.
Read The Original
PopcornReel.com Movie Review of "Once"
PopcornReel.com
Feature Story: Marketa Irglova, Glen Hansard and director John Carney
(Photo: Fox Searchlight Pictures)
