Once (2007)
Moderate Coarse Language
| Director: | John Carney |
| Actors: | Alaistair Foley, Catherine Hansard, Glen Hansard, Kate Haugh, Senan Haugh, Darren Healy |
Once is a modern-day musical about a busker and an immigrant and their eventful week, as they write, rehearse and record songs that tell their love story. Once not only has a ton of melodic singer-songwriter music from Glen Hansard, lead singer of the Irish group the Frames, and Marketa Irglova, a young Czech musician he's collaborated with, it's also got two as its stars. Described by Irish director John Carney as an "art house musical," Once was one of the unheralded small films that took people by surprise and became a sleeper hit at the Sundance Film Festival, winning the World Audience Award.
| Status: | QuickPick |
|---|---|
| Run time: | 103mins |
| Origin: | IRELAND |
| Aspect Ratio: |
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Member Reviews (92)
92 Member
Reviews
Bev
says
A feel good movie
Babs B
says
I enjoyed this movie it wast just a sweet simply story the out come is not at all what I expected. Great Music and Scenery.
Lish
says
Loved it. Really simple but a lovely story. Great music.
29 Jan
says
A beautiful movie & wonderful music,
Lynnette
says
An introduction to so many amazing things combining music, the raw connection of two fresh to each other but established musical collaborators including the organic style of this films makes it hard not to fall deep into this movie's motives of blending cinema and music. Left me rushing to buy the soundtrack and discovering the Frames and the Swell Season!
Denise
says
this is a beautiful film especially if you love live music making. There is lots of great roots or folk music. A busker gets involved with a girl he meets on the street but not in the way you (or he) might predict. A very un Hollywood film with an un predictable story line and a gentle sweet pace. A hymn to how life can be unexpected and the support of those around us can move the logjam of our lives forward when we least expect it.
Bavin
says
Curious but successful movie where the actors are musicians rather than actors pretending to be musicians. The plot is simple but the relationship between the two main characters is complex and unusual. It's a feel-good movie about a struggling musician and a struggling immigrant single mum, and the soundtrack is excellent.
dikdanx
says
This was a terrible movie which was so slow and lacking in any story that it became painful to watch. Can't think of anything positive to say about it.
Bruce
says
So....someone wrote some songs (which all sound very the same, and one we hear too often)...and then someone wrote a story about someone writing some songs and recording them, with a slight love story thrown in. Doesn't make great viewing.
adam
says
this film is just wonderful. as a songwriter, you dream of such things.
soundtrack is nothing short of amazing and the cast do their jobs very very well.
so nice to see a wonderful film with no sex, drugs, violence etc.
Shelley
says
Terrible, not my type of movie. Turned it off after half an hour.
Miggy
says
Loved it. It really inspired me to learn some of their songs. I really loved the way the relationships in this film develop, AWESOME FLIM. Way too underated
Tanya
says
Simple story, but interesting characters. Shot in the wonderful city of Dublin. Great music that had us toe tapping and engrossed throughout this entertaining movie.
emma
says
Fantastic movie. Loved it. Great music, great story and great acting.
LH
says
i'm not sure why once was added to my queue... not my type of movie, so obviously not what i thought it would be.
tzzzzup
says
Amazing. Exhilarating. Captures your heart. Makes you fall in love all over again.
Rent it, and be reborn.
Claudia
says
I'll agree a slow movie, could have polished the language for us, but I still enjoyed it. To me it was a believable storyline, one that is probably played out everyday. As a viewer we often want the film to go a certain place to satisfy or desires etc, even in the case of a wrong choice, and if it doesn't fulfill our expectations, we walk and walk away from a movie disappointed.
Lynne H.
says
Recommeded. Great story, great music. Great movie
Nessie
says
a decent film with decent music
Michelle
says
Brillient and unpretentious
Karinya S.
says
the start was long and very boring, but did have a few touching moments, and captured some 'real' emotive moments. it is basically a musical.... of one song. over and over and over. got really sick of the song!! the director definitely has a talent, but this needed an overhaul to keep the attention up, and irritation level down.
Murray L.
says
I only watched 20 minutes - made no sense to me - over use of offensive language. Waste of one of my two movies in a week.
Steve R.
says
This felt like a big plug for the music - the same song was played endlessly; yes, snippets of others were played but not enough that you'd call this a musical. The artistic cleverness of not giving the lead characters names (they were just guy and girl), just means that as a viewer you can stay outside the story and not really care what is happening; not that much is. The "romance" aspect of the story is poorly handled, not absorbing or moving at all. Once was most definitely enough times to watch this movie.
Carly
says
was a pritty all round boring movie, felt like turning it off at the start.
Katherine
says
This is a nice low budget inde film, a simple story that is well told through some great music....
Louise
says
Loved the music in this movie, but the story line lacked.
Mitzi
says
What a great story,
Krystie W.
says
This movie is so much more than acting on a camera. The story is bittersweet but with a feeling of joy. It could have gone into darker realms but managed to keep some humor and dignity. The soundtrack is amazing and it's one you will not easily forget...
Robert
says
Very good, well crafted and not sentimental. Don't know how it snuck by all these years. One of the best romantic films I have seen, its up there. Wipe that from memory if you rent it and just expect a good movie and you won't be dissappointed.
John K.
says
I thought it was awesome, I didn't expect much,Very good performances and music
Graham
says
Boring, and I didn't like the music
stimpy
says
The thing I liked most was that the story was realistic. The music wasn't my style but it had lots of passion and heart.
Carol
says
If you like Irish pub music, you will love this film which is essentially a musical with a bit of a love story thrown in for good measure. Some of the songs were repeated just one too many times, but still a very watchable, fun movie with some memorable characters.
Ian W.
says
Art-house or not, it's an interesting look in to the life of a wanna be musician. Quite an intereseting storyline, a little difficult to follow at times. The music certainly helps to give enjoyment to the movie. Makes you feel like looking for a CD with the songs on it.
Meg
says
Gorgeous film! Resembles a doco so you feel as if you are following the lives of the characters and their relationship is unfolding before your eye's... even though they are nameless and the story is fictional. The music is emotional and speaks volumes in place of long winded dialogue, the cinematography is perfect. A truly beautiful movie!
Larry C.
says
Exceptional
Belinda E.
says
Boring...bad accents
Nigel W.
says
A nice tale of unrequited love between two struggling musicians. Everyone puts in good performances and the songs are energetic and enjoyable.
Mia I.
says
Such a beautiful film. Loved it!!! Music so wonderful.
Anthony R.
says
A delightful film....a soft love story without any of the standard drama or hollywood rhythms. Engaging ordinary people as the lead protagonists. I really liked the music and the fit to the story. I'll borrow this again later after other people have had a go.
Chris M.
says
very good movie, a little hard to follow in parts
Sandy J.
says
I don't get the hype. I found the movie dull and the music was definitely not my cup to tea!
Bernadette B.
says
I think this is one of those times that a movie has been hyped so much it's impossible for it to live up to expectations. Or maybe it's one of those times when it's proven I am an alien on this planet because I don't get what all the fuss is about. The story: nameless guy meets nameless girl (who is supposed to be Czech but grew up in Ireland and her attempt at the accent makes her sound ridiculous) and they sing a mournful song about suffering and other depressing things while carrying a vacuum cleaner round the city. Then they sing it again. And then another song then the first one again. Some more random singing. Then it ends. That really is the sum total of the plot and frankly just because it's not Hollywood rubbish doesn't mean it's great art. Once is certainly enough for me.
Deborah H.
says
Excellent!
Rhiannon S.
says
Very engaging
Susan P.
says
What a great movie. Simple story, but with so many positive vibes. The music is great, so much so we will be buying the music.
Helen P.
says
What a lovely, simple, beautiful movie about ...life. I hummed the songs for days after seeing this movie.
Janice A.
says
It was quite different from what I generally watch but was enjoyable
Aderito P.
says
Wendy S.
says
Really beautiful, moving movie. Not cliched which is refreshing!
Nan T.
says
Gerd H.
says
There is a great scene in this movie where a recording studio engineer has to work on a weekend and starts out bored and annoyed, but then as he realises the music he’s hearing is fantastic, he gets right into it. That sums up the whole movie too: at first you think this is not going to amount to much, but it gets you in to totally loving it. The DVD extras are good too – just as natural as the movie. An understandable comment is that many people thought the movie was a documentary.
Jennifer C.
says
absolutely loved this movie, it has everything to make a great movie experience with a simple story, wonderful visuals and terrific music
Suzy B.
says
This is a really nice slice of life film. You could watch it safely with an 8 year old which we did and she enjoyed it as much as we did. Well acted and worth a watch.
Cheryl T.
says
A beautiful and simple story and indeed a modern day musical, I loved the music! Amazing acting from 2 amatuers. I loved this film!
Alex H.
says
A beautiful interplay between an Irish busker and an attractive young woman who, together with several other musicians, record music that warms the hart. I liked the Catherine Hansard and her beautiful eyes.
Alex H.
says
A beautiful interplay between an Irish busker and an attractive young woman who, together with several other musicians, record music that warms the hart. I liked the young women and her beautiful eyes.
Andrew H.
says
Great music and an easy story to watch. Just compare this to the Hugh Grant dud Music and Lyrics...
Vicki H.
says
Nice, originality is always a winner!
Mark B.
says
Wonderfully 'real' movie, that spoke through the music and had very little acting in a technical sense. It was like walking on a journy besides two lives that wound together... the music was touching and the soundtrack would be a welcome addition to any music lovers collection.
The Smiths
says
Sweet and very honest. Good dialogue, lyrics and singing. Don't think I'd need to own it or see it again, but would reccomend it, very watch-able.
Wendy M.
says
What a dark horse this movie is! It does start a little different and takes a while to get into but anyone that has ever had a broken heart will be carried away by the amazing music and the characters meld into their roles well and are very believable. I watched it twice just to hear the music!
Kevin D.
says
Slow, basic romance... write your own ending
Kate W.
says
Simple story line, boy meets girl... but such a subltle and beautiful relationship.. great movie with sumptuous music... loved it
Grace H.
says
Wow! This is an amazing movie. Feels more like watching a documentary. The music is so good went straight to itunes and bought the soundtrack.
Stamos G.
says
Claire Z.
says
Caoimhe C.
says
really great movie - lovely story, I didnt want it to end!
John O.
says
Not for all, but if you like off-beat films that are different to other movies, and you like good performances, and you like music, this could work nicely.
Alison M.
says
Peter O.
says
If Hollywood had been sent this script, I suspect they would have turned out something akin to ‘Music and Lyrics’.
The film falls somewhere between a musical and a romance, and in my opinion its art house origins may have swayed some of the ‘professional’ reviewers to be overly lavish in their praise.
The music is good, the male lead is adequate, but the film is stolen by the female lead, who is utterly beguiling.
Overall, its a pleasant enough film (if a little slow at times), and certainly worth a look.
Kate C.
says
Sorry, but I wouldn't waste time watching this one. Was poor quality acting and music dull.
Sheena K.
says
i didnt like the cheap filming and bad acting of this movie but the one thing it did have going was the beautiful music in the film the 2 actors singing really had talent singing.
Gary H.
says
The title pretty much says how many times I need to see this movie.
Mostly about two people who meet and make music together.
Ho-hum.
Esbjorn T.
says
A must for any fan of The Frames. Great music, believable acting.
Gene G.
says
quite the opposite of your rating.sorry i found it so boring.
the music was not my type, the acting was okay. the movie lacked something to entertain me.
Piya A.
says
Wonderful movie!
Marissa T.
says
Brilliant movie. Simplicity that doesn't come with the generic formula of a typical movie about 'boy meets girl'. Awesome soundtrack to boot. Highly recommended.
Libby
says
Due respect to my fellow reviewer, but I found this to be a big bore and much ado about nothing. I kept waiting for something to happen! I know, I know, it has received glowing reviews and "Falling Slowly" won best Oscar for song, but this movie is slow and tedious.
Brad J.
says
Not to be missed. A simple, and certainly melodic film that charts a short moment in two interesting characters' lives. Joyful and at times funny, the deep longing of both characters is always evident through song.
Cara U.
says
this raw and honest film proves that you don't need a monster budget and big-name stars to make something people will remember long after the dvd's gone back to the shop. the two leads are wonderful (as the director said on one of the features, he wanted musicians would could "kind of" act, rather than actors who could "kind of" sing) - they've got such fragility about them, and their hauntingly beautiful songs communicate where words sometimes fail. this film is practically perfect, and the soundtrack is a real winner. i loved it!!
Bev M.
says
Sabine H.
says
Brilliant and amazing movie... low budget and roughly scripted it is one of THE best movies on my list of all time favourites. Brilliant and heartfelt, deep, moving, very emotional and amazing songs! I am totally in love with these people... especially Glen - he's gorgeous in so many ways.
Avril M.
says
Fabulous music and a story that's more 'real' than reality TV.
Maria C.
says
Marg O.
says
Loved it- simple film with some beautiful music.
Barry J.
says
We found the sound very poor and the language the same. Didn't persevere.
Joanne B.
says
Great music
Paula R.
says
A very special movie - the soundtrack is haunting and beautiful - movie stays with you long after you have seen it.
Amanda A.
says
A brilliant movie - have now bought the soundtrack as well!
Sue K.
says
a simple movie with a basic story quite realistic and filmed as though the events are taking place as we watch.It's not worthy of winning any great awards but pleasant enough to watch with simple folk love songs througout the entire movie
BrianM
says
-and a half. I loved this movie. Although the music in the movie is not what I generally like listening to it was performed with such honesty and sincerity. I must buy the cd.
If you love action, explosions and drama this may not be for you.
It's moved into my top 100 and I'm not sending it back yet, I want to watch it again!!!!