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"ONCE"
(2007) (Glen Hansard, Markéta Irglová) (R)

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QUICK TAKE:
Drama/Musical: Two songwriters discover that they're kindred spirits as they bond over their love of music and their failed romantic relationships.
PLOT:
Guy (GLEN HANSARD) is a singer-songwriter who performs his songs on the streets of Dublin when not working in the vacuum repair shop run by his dad (BILL HODNETT). During the day, he performs popular covers in order to make some extra cash from passersby, but at night, he does his own work where he sings about his girlfriend dumping him and moving to London.

His talent doesn't escape the attention of Girl (MARKÉTA IRGLOVÁ), a Czech immigrant who sells flowers and such on the streets to support her young daughter and mother (DANUSE KTRESTOVA). She also laments the loss of a loved one -- her estranged husband back home, and expresses that through some of her own songwriting, although she doesn't perform any of it publicly.

That is, until the two end up doing an impromptu duet together in a music store and realize they have something together. Unsure of whether they should pursue a romantic relationship while still longing for their previous significant others, they hang out, write music, and ultimately try to score some recording studio time to have their tracks laid down professionally.

OUR TAKE: 8 out of 10
Most children are taught to respect their elders, mostly because that group includes their parents and grandparents, but also because it's the right thing to do. And that not only applies to people, but also old animals, things such as antiques, and art forms that once were popular in their day, but now seem quaint when not antiquated or even a bit goofy.

While they're beloved by many, old school musicals definitely fall into that category for yours truly. I appreciate them for what they were and still are, but feel modern day versions fit better on a Broadway stage than a 40-foot wide screen at some suburban multiplex. And the main reason for that -- save for a few exceptions -- is that it's just silly when people suddenly break into song and/or dance when it's time for the next number.

Accordingly, I've always longed for a musical where doing so makes sense in terms of seeming real and in line with the rest of the "normal" behavior on display. For anyone with the same mindset, I'm happy to report that "Once" is the answer to our cinematic prayers, not just for a believable musical, but also a terrific movie in general.

Written and directed by John Carney, it's the tale of two singer-songwriters who meet by chance on the streets of Dublin. He's a street performer who lives above the vacuum repair shop where he works for his dad, and pens lovelorn songs about his ex who dumped him and moved to London. She's a Czech immigrant who sells flowers and such on the street to support her little girl and mother, all while wondering what to do about her estranged husband back home.

The standard Hollywood cliché would be that they then fall for each other and then "make beautiful music together." To be fair, that does happen, but not in ways that most viewers will expect, and certainly not with the amount of emotional engagement that occurs. When the two characters go to a piano shop and unexpectedly play a duet together (she on piano, he on guitar), the result is nothing but pure magic, and probably the most heartfelt, romantic and entertaining moment to be experienced in any movie so far this year.

Although the music's of a different genre, and there are far fewer characters this time around, the film will likely remind viewers of the equally terrific if far more energetic "The Commitments" that director Alan Parker helmed so many years ago. Like that one, this pic features real life singer-songwriters rather than actors in the leads, as well as a gritty look at a poorer view of urban Irish life.

As the unnamed leads, Glen Hansard (who's only other acting gig was in Parker's film) and Markéta Irglová (making her debut) do make beautiful music together, whether singing or not. Appropriately awkward around each other, their emotions about themselves, the seemingly lost loves of their lives, and each other come out through their folksy songs. The beauty of the setup, of course, is that since they're playing singer-songwriters, it's only natural for them to play their songs to or with each other, thus eliminating the need for believability-busting moments of suddenly bursting into song for no real reason.

Thankfully, there's no onscreen dancing either, although Carney seems to be doing some of that around his performers, what with the handheld camerawork likely to make some viewers think it was filmed off the rocking shore of Ireland rather than within one of its steadier cities.

In a nice touch, however, he tones that down as the characters become more confident with themselves and each other, especially when they finally scrape together enough money and backup musicians to head into a recording studio to lay down some tracks. While not quite as magical and touching as the leads' first impromptu duet, those moments again flash signs of infectious brilliance, and the music is nothing short of a delight, not only to the ear but also to the heart.

Now, for the brief nitpicking. Beyond the obvious need for a tripod or Steadicam, there really isn't a great deal of plot to sustain the film, and thus it's possible some viewers (especially curmudgeons who won't loosen up and let the film overtake them) could find the proceedings a bit boring. And while I understand it's present to create an air of authenticity, about the only thing objectionable content-wise is the salty language that easily could have been eliminated and thus made the film acceptable for all audiences.

Of course, younger kids will likely rather spend their movie time with a certain web-slinger, green ogre, or fey pirate in this summer of '07. Yet, for those looking for a sweet and unconventional story with real emotional hooks that go in deep and touch one's soul (unlike anything those big-budget Hollywood blockbusters can collectively muster) -- not to mention some terrific folk-rock songs and the feeling that one is witnessing real people rather than Hollywood constructs, you'll be hard-pressed to find something better than "Once." The film rates as an 8 out of 10.




Reviewed April 24, 2007 / Posted May 25, 2007


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