Once 2007

I just cannot see the hype about this one.
Generally, I consider a good screen love story if you can "fall in love" alongside the characters, understand their mutual need, getting caught on in their chemistry, affinity of minds or soul. It goes for any relationship really: friendships, family...
Here you can feel it as they play together, just the 2 of them before fixing the vacuum cleaner - but that's about it. There's no "spiritual"/mental one as a Before Sunrise, no "first love" as a Normal People, no escape from loneliness as in Brokeback Mountain, no prolonged musical affinity as a Begin Again or even A star is born, no "finding each other in a dull world" as in Carol... I could have seen it in exactly the same way, without the romantic part. Just as two strangers finding themselves through the creation of an album. Or, even more shockingly, without any kind of relationship involved: just the struggle of a musician to get on with his music and his life.
No nuances, no shades.
I feel most of the positive reviews are affected by getting emotionally carried away with the music part and the camera in hand style: but if you look beyond - to writing, silences, intimacy, acting... even to the simple feelings from the relationship and not the songs, it's quite disappointing.
Totally different movie, but I got the same lack of emotion in The Spectacular Now, as a comparison (even by loving Woodley and Teller's portrayal and skills)

This was one of the most unique movies that I have seen in a long time. "Once" isn't so much a movie as it is a snapshot of two people's lives over the course of a few days. The movie begins with a man playing guitar on the streets of Dublin for money. He is approached by a foreign girl who asks him about his music. The two then begin an odd kind of relationship that I will not get into as it may spoil the movie.

The unique part of the movie is that it is partially told through song - both songs that they had written separately and together. I know, you're probably thinking that it is a full-length version of "Cop Rock". No, it is actually very well done and the music seems to slip right in to the movie.

The leads are real-life musicians Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová and they make up the duo The Swell Season. Hansard is the lead singer of the Irish band The Frames and met Irglová when he was touring the Czech Republic. They kept in touch over the years (she was 13 when they met) and eventually they started to tour together. The two won an Oscar for their song "Falling Slowly" and their Oscar moment is memorable because the band mistakenly started to play as she was about to start her part of the acceptance speech.

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I was supposed to see this before I went to see Begin Again but I didn't had the time. I heard a lot of people saying that this film was great but I for no special reason I had not seen it before.

One of the most beautiful and honest films I have ever seen! I was completely overwhelmed with the love and dedication that was put forth by John Carney in this little (but very big) project that manages to carry so much with so little!

Once is a very simple and heartfelt story demonstrating a huge love for music, which makes sense. A world without music would not be the same and is due to the love for music that the two central characters in this story will cross their paths.

A street musician with a huge talent, plays every day in the streets of Dublin. At the beginning we get the idea that he is just another one looking to earn some extra money, singing and playing a few songs... But we quickly realize that the main reason why does it is not for the money but for the pleasure of giving music to others, dreaming of someday becoming a professional musician. On a day like any other he meets a girl, who not like most people that pass through him every day, really pays attention to what he does. And there begins to grow a beautiful musical and emotional relationship between the two.

The film is shot in documentary style which given the history gives you a whole more intimate air, almost like it was supposed to walk side by side with the characters. Its pretty raw but instead of giving it an amateur look, can make it into something even more special. The original soundtrack of this film is absolutely delicious. Great tracks, and all illustrate perfectly every feeling, every emotion, every moment that we are seeing.

The performances are very realistic and heartfelt. Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová did a great job playing these two beautiful characters. I am very happy to know that these two talented musicians won the Academy Award for Best Original Song - "Falling Slowly" - in 2007.

Once is not just a film for all lovers of music, is a film that everyone should see! Simple, without any presumption or requirement. Just want to touch the heart of any human being that values ​​emotion.

I loved Begin Again but I think I loved this one even more! Keep up with the great work Mr. John Carney!