Once
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Movie Reviews of Once
Movie Review: A beautiful ordinary tragedy
Summary: 5 Stars
Saw the movie yesterday, when it opened in our local theater. Decided this morning that I needed to look for the soundtrack. Have signed up to be notified when the movie becomes available, because it's that good.
I'm not a movie critic, but this one is good enough that I want to encourage other folks to see it. It's hard to explain the reasoning without giving too much detail about the story, or building it up too much. But here's what I can say :
During the movie, I recognized that I was waiting for some tragic event (my wife said as we left the theater that she kept waiting for one of them to die), because that's what would happen in a standard Hollywood movie. How sad that we've grown accustomed to movies that must throw big tragic events at us to create emotional responses because the acting, storywriting, and character development cannot suffice to make us feel emotions on a small scale.
In "Once", the acting and the story (and the music) develop the characters well enough, and tell a story that is plausible enough, that an ordinary tragedy is sufficient to make the viewer feel genuine and complex emotion. All without trying too hard or backing away from it. That's brilliant. Worth seeing more than once, which is why I want to own it.
Movie Review: Recommendations for similar films
Summary: 5 Stars
"Once" is such a lovely film... We finally sat down to watch it and, like so many others, were enchanted by the odd, intangible chemistry between the two lead actors, and by its fascinating glimpse into the creative process.
If you enjoyed the film's presentation of how music is made, and how creative people collaborate, there are a couple of other films that come to mind that capture some of the same vibe. One is a bit silly, teh other is more profound:
"Music And Lyrics," with Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore, is the silly one. I really liked even though it's so fluffy -- but the scenes where they collaborate on the songs are key to their characters and their relationship, much like similar scenes in "Once."
"Tribalistas" - this DVD documentary of the making of the "Tribalistas" is utterly thrilling. The film features Brazilian pop stars Marisa Monte, Carlinhos Brown and Arnaldo Antunes and shows them recording an album from start to finish. If you liked the creative scenes in "Once," and wished there were more of that in the film, then track the Tribalistas video down -- it's one of the purest documents of musicmaking and creativity I've ever seen. Truly amazing. Anyway, that's my two bits. (DJ Joe Sixpack, Slipcue Guide to Brazilian Music)
Movie Review: Brilliant, touching, and enduringly beautiful.
Summary: 5 Stars
My review title sums it up pretty well, I think. This is a brilliant concept in the movie-musical genre. The music is integrated naturally within the storyline instead of being imposed from outside. And what a wonderful choice, to have the actors be the very artists who wrote the music! This works all the better and makes for such touching and tender scenes because the actors were in the process of falling in love during the filming. There is a palpable chemistry between Marketa and Glen throughout, and at the end, you feel that you've experienced something truly rare, human, and beautiful. And what can I say about the music that hasn't already been said? These are gorgeously haunting melodies that will stick in your mind long after the movie is over. A couple of the songs, Falling Slowly and If You Want Me, are Oscar contenders this year.
By the way, Marketa's character replies in Czech to Glen's question "Do you love your husband?" She says, "Miluju tebe." and then refuses to translate. So, he never knows what she said. You can look it up! This and some other plot details that I won't go into lead me to disagree with some other reviewers here who say this movie is all about "friendship." I think instead it's about something a little more complex.
Movie Review: Perfect pitch movie
Summary: 5 Stars
In an age where the big budget Broadway style musicals are racing onto the screen, it's a simple low budget musical that's the real charmer. Once looks like minimalist art cinema at first glance - hand held shots, documentary style film making. No elaborate stages, special effects or gorgeous technicolor that encompasses the modern musical.
Rather, the film simply tells the story of a chance meeting between an unnamed man and unnamed woman who seem to share only a love for music and a lack of monetary affluence. Yet thrugh music, their aspirations seem to grow, as does their relationship. Despite the lack of grandiose compositions in the broadway fashion, the songs direct the course of the characters and are the cornerstone of the film, as it has little dialogue.
Glen Hansard has been making music for years and has been featured on film in the past in the Committments, yet doesn't strike you as an actor. But it's the naturalistic approach of his and Marketa Irglova's performance that makes the film so great. It feels like we're feeling and following the passion of these two characters. Overall it's a lovely combination of filmaking technique, raw feeling, and an excellent enjoyable soundtrack that makes this film so great.
Movie Review: Beautiful love story peppered with songs
Summary: 5 Stars
When an Irish street musician meets a young Czech flower seller on the streets or (unknown) city in Ireland, they strike an easy friendship. Their initial conversation is spontaneous and not restrained. Soon they learn they are both musicians who can play guitar and piano and also sing a duet without much practice. Their musical education differs (he seems to be self-thought, while she is classically tranied pianist), and so does their social status but that is not barrier to their mutual musical creative force. Their professional relationship grows thru their mutual respect for their musical talent but soon they are falling for each other emotionally to. He has been hurt before with disasterous consequences it seems, while she has had her own share of misfortune of a different kind. Can these two be together? See the movie and make a decision for yourself! The real treasure of this movie is young Marketa Irglova. Her wide open eyes transcent innocence and purity that is rarely seen on film. While Glen Hansard sometimes seems like he is trying too hard to make people love his music, Marketa's mere presence in the film, her subdued singing and performing give this little movie a real spark. Without Marketa this movie simply could not exist.