Once
(DVD Review)
By MovieCritic on 04-04-2008
Steven Spielberg told USA Today, "A little movie called Once gave me enough inspiration to last the rest of the year." The surprise independent favorite, written and produced by Irish director John Carney and set in Dublin, stars non-actors (professional musicians Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová) in a fictionalized version of their real-life musical collaboration and brief romance. Since it moves from song to song, the film could be labeled a "musical", but it doesn't feel like one. The naturalistic cinematography makes it seem like a documentary about two young musicians -- in a way, that's what it is. The song "Falling Slowly", co-written by the stars, won the 2007 Academy Award for Best Original Song. It was performed at the February 2008 Academy Awards ceremony. In terms of temperament, there is a light romantic storyline for Idealists and a solid sense of family and friendship for Guardians (Hansard's mother appears in a party scene.) Some Artisans may relate to the two Artisan protagonists. Rationals are not likely to take much from this movie -- it is slow-paced, and its charms are based on simple human interest, without much conflict or complexity.
Busker Guy (Hansard) meets Girl (Irglová) when she admires a song he is performing. She takes him to a local music shop that lets her play their instruments when it's slow, and the two of them make beautiful music together. The thirty-something Guy is still pining for an ex-girlfriend, but he falls for Girl. He introduces her to his father; Girl understands that his father does not appreciate his talents. After she rejects his clumsy proposition that they spend the night together, the two forge a platonic artistic friendship. She introduces him to her mother and toddler daughter, whom she lives with. The pair co-writes songs and manage to get the bank to lend them money to record a demo at a professional studio. The smitten Guy never completely gives up on Girl, even after he learns that she is married to her daughter's father, who still lives in the Czech Republic. Eventually Guy leaves to reunite with his ex in London, and Girl's husband joins her in Dublin. Verdict: Charming and original. Recommended if you like mildly grungy rock music.
This movie was incredibly real, palpable. When Irglová walked up for the Oscar, it's as if the movie were still rolling and you knew the person intimately. I knew the girl, her family, her friends, her strength, and her courage. I don't understand why the song was even nominated, however, and that's what won the award. Also, I could not understand the complete lack of empathy by Hansard's character after the the girl had lugged a vacuum cleaner across many streets and sidewalks to ask for some help.