I been thinking nearly for a day, what to write about, how to describe it all. I've now listened to some songs from the soundtack and I'm obviously in love with the film and its music. The songs are mellancolic acoustic songs about losing your faith in love etc, but the story itself is one of the most beautiful, optimistic and realistic that I've seen for a while.
The two non-professional actors, Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, act in a very charming and realistic way. They really do an outstanding job and outshine all the so called "A-list" Hollywood actors.
The script does not concentrate on building the backstory, everything will be explained as the story develops. The film is shot at handheld and gives you the feeling that you are present on the sets. It felt kinda strange at the beginning, because I'm not a huge fan of it, but it works in this one.
And the music... I can't describe it in any other way than pure perfection. The lyrics are like deeper, extra thoughts that are easier to explain by performing them. Glen Hansard has an exceptionally beautiful voice. He and Ms Irglova really deserved the Oscar for best song.
You can't forget the film and its music after watching it. "Once" is a true low-budget indie masterpiece about facing your romantic challenges in life, and to which all of us can easily relate to. This film, a touching and honest gem, will stay in every movie lovers heart til the end.
I admit, it took me a few viewings to really warm up to this movie. There was an overwhelming amount of hype around it, and the first few times I saw it, I thought "is that it?" But thankfully I gave it another chance on DVD (with subtitles, so I could understand those thick accents!) and I finally fell completely in love. The simplicity really is what makes it such a perfect movie. The low-low-low budget camerawork and natural lighting, not to mention the performances from the non-professional actors, make the whole thing feel so real, like you're watching someone's actual love story unfold before you. And in a way you are, as the two leads began dating after their collaboration on this film, awwww. The script doesn't waste time with backstory or subplots, it's set entirely in the present, and you can speculate everything else yourself. But most of all, it's the music that will win you over the most. Just beautiful, it leaves me speechless everytime I listen. Easily the best movie soundtrack in a very long time.
i really liked this movie, really simple but it has a passion and love for music and friends, i saw it twice, lol awesome songs and a real people, not all this make belive stuff, love it
Not sure how I added this one to my list of films to see, maybe because of Sundance Film Festival. The Music is great, its boy meets girl, boy is broken hearted, and she is stand offish, isn't that how it always is. Anyway a film worth seeing.
Boy and girl musicians meet in Dublin. They play music and record some of it. They go their separate ways. Nice enough film, with an almost documentary feel to it. A good portion of the film is singing, so don't watch it if you're not in the mood for that. Not really a romance, not really a documentary, just something that happened once.
This movies goes to prove to me at least that its the story that matters and not the direction. This movie is shot in handheld camera style, not cloverfield sort of style, but proper home made movie style, it doesnt look great, the shots are wobbily, theres some zooms, people get in the way, but it doesnt matter. At the heart of the story are the two characters, two fantastic characters that keeps you watching throughout. Mix into that a lot of great sounding songs and what you get is one highly enjoyable movie.
This is now the film I get out when people want to see something they might never have heard of and by the end they always go aaaawww! Such a great little film made on a tiny budget that brims with more charm than most of the big budget fair. The music moulds with the story sooo well and having already been a fan of the music sometime before the film came out, this is a little gem that I love revisiting.
First of all, this is not a movie. It looks like crap (like all digital movies). It looks worse than a student production (and by looks I don't mean the technical quality which obviously is bad, just the art work overall). Having said that the songs were breathtaking. The two actors were very likable. The atmosphere was sad and beautiful (despite the crap images). So, the 8 stars are (almost) all for the music. All those stupid people saying "this is finally not a Hollywood" movie or something along those lines are hilarious. It is exactly like a Hollywood movie, because despite the look (which is ugly and realistic) it has nothing to do with realism and it's a great typical Hollywood story.
I very much enjoyed this film. Very simplistic and understated, the film starts off a bit slow, settles in, and really warms up as it goes.
The chemistry between the two leads is a bit awkward and stilted, but, although odd and somewhat disjointed at times, it feels as though that's just how it's supposed to be... that's just the characters... I dunno -- it's different, but it totally works. These characters seem so genuine and they really grow on you over the course of the film. I especially loved Ms. Markéta Irglová -- she has this really captivating innocent air about her that is quite endearing.
The music is really nice. The main song ("Falling Slowly") is a lovely duet between the two, and its beautiful melody and poignant lyrics really anchor the film and sell the story.
I went from being amused, but indifferent in the beginning, to really genuinely liking this film in the end. This film had a dangerous potential to underwhelm, but ultimately, they hit all the right notes (sorry for the ridiculously cheesy pun... I couldn't resist) and in the end, truly won me over and left me thoroughly satisfied with the hour-and-a-half I had invested in it.
For the money, this is one of the best little movies I've ever seen. It's short, to the point and sweet and meaningful all with very limited means. It also has great music, what more could you want?
Snäll, trevlig, musikalisk flickkvinna från öst slår sig i slang med gatumusiker a la Damien Rice och ljuv musik uppstår, så att säga. Båda har varsitt icke fungerande förhållande på var sitt håll och blir därför vänner och de sjunger mycket, mest hela tiden. Finast är när Marketa sjunger "If you want me".
take this stinking movie and point it home, i haven't got the time, raise a desperate sigh you can't deny, eyelids are getting heavy now, falling slowly asleep you'll nod off, i'll nod off along. seriously though, once you get past the music, the movie parts of the movie are incredibly underdone.
It was a relatively good movie about music with some hilarious places like the one with the cute red vacuum cleaner and the three neighbouring guys who didn't have a TV. The songs were quite nice, but I kept trying to figure out who the main character's voice and style reminded me of. One more thing though - the names of the main characters weren't mentioned and to me that was a bit peculiar.
Well done. I found some of the songs quite beautiful, although most of the music is not my cup of tea. The two leads are great, and the whole idea is great. Left me feeling a bit melancholy at the end.
A modern day Folk musical...This might sound crap,but its bloody great. the chemistry between the two leads is good and strong,and the musics wonderful. It's so refreshing to find a film like this being made today. A real charming lovely movie.
MCT:November 16, 2008
MCT:November 8, 2008
MCT:November 8, 2008
MCT:November 1, 2008
MCT:October 2, 2008
MCT:September 28, 2008
