Two independent musicians didn’t fail to impress the audience with their story-telling and heartfelt tracks in an hour and a half jam. The film captivates the viewers from the start to the closing credits, leaving them astonished.

Once is a romantic musical drama film directed by John Carney and released in 2007. It stars Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, who also wrote, composed, and performed the song “Falling Slowly”. The song won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2008, and it was nominated for a 2008 Grammy for Best Song Written For Motion Picture, Television, Or Other Visual Media.

Once Have I Watched a Film with Only Knowing One Character Name – and this character is a Toddler.

The film is about two struggling unnamed-musicians who met each other in the streets of Dublin, Ireland. A vacuum fixer and a flower girl – even though they have different lives, they share the same passion for music. It brings them closer together, but they have to set their feelings aside since both of them already have complicated relationships.

Once the Music Kicks In, There’s No Stopping

Aside from the award-winning song “Falling Slowly”, the film also has many beautiful tracks to listen to – most of them are written by Hansard and Irglová. These two have natural chemistry and perfectly fit their roles. In the film, they spent a week together, collaborating on an album that tells their love story.

These musics set the tone of the film – this and the Handycam cinematography helps the narrative. It allows the viewers to feel the emotions and performance that are central to the two characters.

Once I Foresee the Ending, I Wished it to be the Same Usual Love Story.

There are many romantic films out there, and the key to capturing the viewers is how you set your story to feel authentic – not an expert, but this is how I view romantic films that I watched.

Once has one of those plots that you have already seen before; however, what makes it feel original, is how they use their songs and cinematography. It helps the narrative, and the lyrics alone can express long dialogues – that a common love story tries to stretch out in an hour and a half. Also, the rough DIY feel of the shots suits the lead characters as they casually talk about their passion and lives. It feels like you’re watching both of them, not from afar – how they blend those two elements strike the emotions – that you want to stay and see what will happen next.

For sure, I’ll Watch this Movie more than ONCE

What is also great about the film is that it has little surprises that relate to viewers. It’s interesting because these twists and turns arrive as the story progress – which is common. But because you’re so attached to them, you will feel the, “Oh wait – really?”.

Once is a simple love story that might have already happened to any of its viewers. It’s relatable. The songs say it all. It proves that not all great films are built with heavy and quotable lines, panoramic and breathtaking cinematography, heavy plots, or a lead character needs to die. Sometimes, what we need is a relaxing film that will give a smile to your face because, you know – it feels like a trip down memory lane.

4 out of 5 stars

How about you? What do you think of the film Once? Let me know your thoughts down the comment section.