Once Review Summary
Viewpoints reviewers say Once is the "most original movie/musical I have ever seen." Once tells the story of a street singer who has lost his love and is grieving through his rock ballads. "It is a romance, a love story and a story of dreams come true, but not always in the way you would expect in a Hollywood film." After winning the World Cinema Audience Award at the Sundance film festival, Once went on to win an Oscar as well as many other awards. Reviewers seem to think the film deserved these awards and more! "The music is beautiful, and the style and story were interesting and different." Real life artist Glen Hansard stars as the street singer and his music has been featured in Ella Enchanted and Feast of Love.
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Once Ratings and Reviews
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I just saw this charming Irish film on DVD because it had been highly recommended to me by everyone I knew who had seen it. I couldn't imagine a movie musical being anything other than the musical films of the 1940's and '50's where people break into song at the most improbable moments. But in this film the music is generic to the development of the plot and is always appropriate in context.
Before I go any further I do want to warn you that the dialogue in the opening scenes is very hard to understand because of the thick accents. But don't be discouraged. Keep watching because the...
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In the mythology of ancient Greece, a group of nine goddesses were believed to be source of all human creative processes. Anyone who believes in the power these muses have can see how these muses touch two young Dubliners in Once, a movie musical inspired by their real lives and talents. A singer who is identified in the credits as just Guy (Glen Hansard) is a busker on Dublin's Grafton Street, performing songs both day and night. He plays songs known by some of the shoppers during store business hours, but also performs original material in the evening, when most of the shops have closed for the...
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My wife and I saw this movie last night and ran into two other couples that were there. The three women really liked it and there was a split decision among the guys. I really enjoyed the movie but I also can see how it is not for everyone. It was a little slow and did not follow the traditional formula of a Hollywood romance. Does the guy get the girl? Do they hit the big time? You will have to see it to find out....
Once is a story about two struggling musicians who have ordinary day jobs fixing vacuum cleaners and selling flowers. What I liked about the movie is that it did not...
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The most unique part of the Once is that throughout the movie, we really feel we get to know the guy and the girl, what motivates them, etc., but we never learn their names. Even if you look up the movie on its official site or on imdb.com, there is no listing of their character names, just The Guy and The Girl. The Guy is played... review »
'Once Soars!'
"Once" proves once and for all that the movie musical doesn't have to be conventional or dazzle you with bravado. This is a touching and heartbreaking movie that I will never forget. Director John Carney and his cast have given us memorable and warm characters and music with heart. The experience is quietly beautiful and there were many moments that choked me up.
No one breaks out into song and no one starts a long production number. This is a musical about two people who...
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Can a man and a woman have a platonic friendship? The suspense is enhanced by a movie that is more musical than many musicals: these amateur actors are portraying real people who simply sing for the thrill of making music and sharing camaraderie.
If you haven't heard of the Irish band The Frames yet, you'll be a fan after seeing this movie. The lead singer, Glen Hansard, stars as a street musician with big dreams and a broken heart in this lovely low-budget flick. The minimalist filmmaking only enhances the marginal lives of the songwriter and the immigrant street vendor who draws him out. A heartwarming... review »
I appreciated the fact that the characters could feel satisfied and accomplished without designer clothes, over-priced cars and jewelry. Their happiness wasn't dependent upon acquiring something that was somehow exclusive. Not everyone could do what they did, but then not everyone would want to.
