Once is really, really fantastic. I'd heard about when it was first released in '07 but never had the opportunity to check it out.
My interest was peaked when I found out it was a film about music! Some of you might not know, but, I love music.

I came across the dvd today. And for a real bargain too: $9.99. I took a chance.I was not disappointed. I rarely am, actually.

The story, put simply, is about a friendship that grows out of two strangers love of playing music. They come across each other one night in Dublin. The lead male character, "Guy", performs with his guitar on the streets for money. He doesn't need the extra money necessarily, his main source of income comes from him repairing vacuum cleaners at his dad's shop. He performs because he loves it. The female lead, "Girl",who cleans houses for a living and lives with her mom and daughter, just so happens to hear one of his own original songs one night and from there decides to inquire more about him. She's a musician, too, he discovers, who plays the piano.
They take an interest in each other, at first, musically and decide to collaborate on some songs. From then on the relationship grows, beyond just music, and they start becoming a part of each others lives.

The film has very real and very natural performances by the "actors". They're not professional actors. They're musicians first, which is why the music works so well in the film, who the director himself knew and asked to be apart of the project.

They do a spectacular job for persons who have never acted in a film before.
Granted, a lot of the scenes they're just playing music together, so, I guess, they didn't really need to act so much.

The scenes that do involve music are probably some of the most convincing moments I've seen captured on film that involve the process of writing and rehearsing songs. I have some experience with this process myself. Other "music" movies tend to skip over these creative moments in songwriting. Or if they do try and show it it always seems too fake (it is, of course) or rushed. Case in point: the recent film, Cadillac Records. Horrible, horrible movie.

Once rushes nothing. It's a slow boil, but in the best possible way. It's great! Did I mention that?
It's not hokey, fake, or formulaic at all. This is why the film is so good.

I recommend anyone who likes good movies to check this one out. It's bloody brilliant!



Also: If you want to know about another great film that has to do with music bringing strangers together to form beautiful friendships, check out The Visitor. Also on dvd now.

Richard Jenkins, the star, was nominated for an oscar for his performance.