Once (2007)
Grade:A-
Once is perhaps the very definition of a “small” film. There are two main characters – a guy and a girl (we never get their names) – a couple peripheral characters who seem to have been cast right before the camera started rolling, and a handheld filming style that suggests the film’s low budget. The film is all the more remarkable, then, because it – for lack of a better or less-clichéd term – soars with its music and emotional core.
For about sixty of the film’s eighty minutes, the guy (Glen Hansard) and the girl (Markéta Irglová) sing, often to or with each other, but also on their own. The songs, written by Hansard and Irglová, are what make this film. From Hansard’s first full solo song, it is clear that the style of the film does not particularly matter, nor does the lighting, nor does the quality of the acting when the songs are delivered with as much passion and energy as Hansard delivers his first big number.
The song starts out fairly subdued, merely him and his guitar, but once the chorus hits, his voice turns into this emotion-laden near-scream and its exhilarating to watch. Not only is the audience engrossed, but as the camera pulls back towards the end of the song, we see that the girl has been watching, engrossed just the same. From there, they strike up a friendship and learn of their mutual love for music.
The highlight of the movie, though, by far, is (as far as I can remember) the next big musical number of the film. The two meet the next day and she takes him to a music store where the owner lets her play the piano (she doesn’t have one of her own). He has his guitar, and after she plays a little something, in one long take, he quickly outlines a song of his so that she can figure out something to play on the piano, sings the chorus quickly, and then starts singing the song. The song on its own is great, but as she fumbles around on the piano and finds her footing, and then joins in on harmony, the effect is simply beautiful. It’s like we’ve watched the genesis of art.
Though the film is largely full of music, there are scenes where characters simply talk. Unfortunately, the parts where no one is singing are perhaps lacking a bit. Hansard and Irglová share a palpable chemistry together, simply through their mutual love of music. Complications in their relationship keep it from getting outright romantic, but there is a connection there, for sure, that the actors communicate wonderfully. This is, however, despite a screenplay that is lacking a bit. The dialogue isn’t particularly brutal, but it’s simplistic and doesn’t match the power of the music.
Also working against the film (and I really don’t want to fault the film for this) is its limited budget. The handheld style is distracting at times, and in many cases unnecessary. The low budget also makes the two crane shots stick out that much more, and in a film where the songs seem to envelop the audience with their power, this can be quite jarring.
Despite these minor flaws, the film is pretty close to brilliant. As the guy and girl spend more time together, the film does something miraculous. It doesn’t force them into a contrived ending or do anything besides follow the natural progression of their relationship. As with any musical (or music-centered film), it won’t work if you hate the music, of course; luckily – and to the film’s credit – I did. More than that, though, even if you don’t like the style of music, the songs are so integral to the plot, and the songs so well communicated by these actors that you won’t be able to help getting caught up in it all.
Bottom Line:
Once doesn’t have the most original storyline ever – guy meets girl, both love music, guy and girl sing music together – but the film surrounds the simplistic story with great songs and even greater delivery from the two leads. The film perfectly captures a budding friendship and understanding between its two leads.
© 2004-2009 Ben Waldorf. Posted July 11, 2007. IMDB