Latest reviews about Once

Staci827 says "This movie holds a spot in my heart" about Once

Staci827 — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 05:22:19 GMT

I came across this movie accidentally. I am a big music buff and I absolutely love music that has true emotion to it. The song When Your Minds' Made Up moved me to tears the first time I heard it on YouTube. I went immediately on a search to find out when the movie would be out and I immediately saw it as soon as it was available. It is a kind of quirkly story and the modern version of a musical. I have a warm spot in my heart from this film and I suggest it to anyone who is a fan of Irish artists like Damien Rice....

berquist8 says "ADORABLE" about Once

berquist8 — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 02:38:43 GMT

THE MOVIE ONCE IS A GREAT MOVIE AND TRULY MOVING! THEY HAVE GREAT CHEMISTRY TOGETHER AND THERE VOICES ARE AWESOME! IT IS DEFIANTLY A MOVIE TO WRITE IN THE BOOKS. IF YOU LOVE INDEPENDENT MOVIES AND MUSIC THIS IS THE MOVIE FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...

PatMills says "Enjoy modern Irish music and romance" about Once

PatMills — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 02:14:49 GMT

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 night. One night, Guy plays one of his own compositions, and draws the attention of a young woman the film as just Girl (Marketa Irglova), who is trying to peddle magazines. She likes Guy's songs, and inquires if he has written more. He says he has, but tells Girl they are in a rough draft stage. She wants to know more about his material, and recevies an invite from Guy to come to his place and...

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StephKaye says "A poignant and bohemian diamond-in-the-rough" about Once

StephKaye — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 17:47:51 GMT

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 film.
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WDarling says "Accidentally came upon it" about Once

WDarling — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 22:35:06 GMT

A friend and I were planning to see the Edith Piaff film which was not held over but decided to try "Once", uncertain as to what was coming. I learned later that the success of the film was almost accidental at the Sundance Movie Festival. I half expected something tragic to happen since the plot was so simple and their only driving theme was to record a CD. I wish I had known nothing dire would come about so I could have just sat back and enjoyed it for the force of character coming from their talent and love of music. I was heart-warming to see them succeed, especially to see him deliver a piano to her at her apartment so that she could always have an instrument to practice. So the music, contemporary and passionate, was what carried the story, and very well, I might add, with an appreciable verve and drama. It was hard not to love....

shrimpman42 says "Awesome" about Once

shrimpman42 — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 17:49:02 GMT

This was the best movie I have seen in a long time and the music was great to boot. I actually wentout and bought the CD (I actually paid for it). Watch this if you get a chance....

lyndacan says "A moving and delightful musical romance" about Once

lyndacan — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 19:01:31 GMT

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 dialogue between The Guy (we never know the characters' names' )and The Girl is much clearer. I turned on the English subtitle feature on my DVD player because I didn't want to miss a word.

It's the story of a heartbroken street singer, Glen Hansard of the Irish band Frames, pining the loss of his long time love and expressing his grief in the beautiful rock ballads that he writes and plays...

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sarahinez says "Like life, only better." about Once

sarahinez — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 23:02:18 GMT

Charming, about people who seem far more real than most we find in movies and TV.

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.
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LauraBelle says "People Come Into Your Life For a Reason ..." about Once

LauraBelle — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 23:36:07 GMT

If ever there was a movie that illustrated the quote, "People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime," it's Once, an Irish independent feature that has already won the World Cinema Audience Award Dramatic at Sundance, and is now being released in the U.S.

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 by Glen Hansard, previously seen in this country in the movie The Commitments, and newcomer Marketa Irglova. Writer and director John Carney initially looked for proven actors for these roles, and used Hansard, whom he knew from their days together in the band The Frames, and Irglova to write the music, and becoming frustrated at not finding the right actors that could sing and play music as......

UEStandard says "Fantastic, unique musical" about Once

UEStandard — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 00:09:33 GMT

One of the best movies I have seen in a long time. The music is beautiful, and the style and story were interesting and different. The characters are well developed and complex, and very easy to care about. The genre is somewhat misleading - it is musical, but unlike most musicals. The music is an integral part of the movie, and it flows very easily. At no time did I think 'that wouldn't happen in real life.' Finally, it was fun that we never learn the names of the characters. What a wonderful and fun movie!...

Matt says "A touching but slow moving romance to just relax and enjoy" about Once

Matt — Sun, 24 Jun 2007 11:56:52 GMT

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 glamorize the struggle that millions of musicians have to practice their love full time.

There are themes of lost love and regret. The movie was very real and very human with some great music.

If you like more artsy films, and have a soft spot in your heart for musicians and/or or romance, you will like this movie.

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Vinny2825 says "A Life Changing Musical That You Will Never Forget!" about Once

Vinny2825 — Sat, 09 Jun 2007 22:15:19 GMT

'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 just want to sing and make a connection with someone. The characters have no names -they're just the Guy and the Girl. They sing songs together and they have dreams and they're just trying to live their lives.The songs are sung with heart and they will get to you in a strong and effective way. The songs also are infectious and beautifully composed.

The movie opens up simply with a musician...

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kimbogus says "Most original movie/musical I have ever seen" about Once

kimbogus — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 02:09:42 GMT

I saw "Once" today without knowing anything about it--save that it was logged as "an Irish Musical". This was the most original movie I have ever seen. I am not sure it would qualify as a musical in the most literal sense--but the tracks in the movie are extremely powerful. The basic premise is that a struggling musician is performing in the street in Ireland and meets a young woman who inspires him to form a band and record a demo at a nearby studio. Their relationship develops into mostly a friendship with romantic undertones. They form an unlikely pair as he is pining for an ex girlfriend and she is married to a man who is still in Prague--where she emigrated from. The main male actor has an amazing voice and wrote and performed most of the songs in the film. The female lead is hilarious and charming in a most ordinary, girl-next-door kind of way. I loved the romance-theme but without the fairy tale ending. The whole thing was sad and funny and romantic all rolled into......