Once

Is it possible to fall in love with a movie? I think I did.

Every now and then a movie comes along that hits you in exactly the right spot, providing you with that feeling you need most, when you need it most. Some movies genuinely effect you. "Once" was that movie for me. (In fact, I had wanted to start this blog for a while, but seeing this movie finally convinced me to go ahead and do it, just so I could tell you about Once.)

Once is one of those movies that reminds you of everything that is good and right about cinema, and why movies are made in the first place. It reminds you of the power of the medium - stripped of special effects, in-your-face promotion, hollywood stars, and orchestral scores - leaving only the very simple story of two people, and the music they play.

As a self-proclaimed Anglophile (or as with this Irish film - an Hibernophile), I try to pay attention to many things going on in Britain these days. "Once" is just one of the many exceptional films to come out of the Isles this year (Control, This Is England, Atonement, Eastern Promises), but I believe that it is definitely the best. Hell, it is probably the best film to come out of any country this year. (Juno had held that distinction for me until now, but Once is just flawless.)

The film takes place in Dublin. The plot couldn't be simpler: Girl meets Guy. Guy plays music. Girl also plays music. Guy and Girl play music together. Guy and Girl fall in love. In fact, the two unnamed main characters are simply credited as "Guy" and "Girl".

"Guy" is played by the very talented Glen Hansard. Hansard comes to this movie with no acting experience, but he is the front man of a very popular Irish rock band called "The Frames." (The Frames' ex-bassist John Carney directs.) "Girl" is played by Czech-born musician Markéta Irglová, who, as Roger Ebert mentions, "has the kind of smile that makes a man want to be a better person, so he can deserve being smiled at." Hansard and Irglová compose and perform all of the music in the film.

Shot in 17 days for just $160,000 (and earning almost $14 million to date), Once is the story of a broken-hearted vacuum repair man (Hansard) who also tries to get by as a busker (street performer). He meets an immigrant girl (Irglová) whose job is to sell flowers on the street. Upon learning she also plays music (the piano), they duck into a music shop where the owner lets them play together in what stands out as the most powerful and charming scene of the movie. I won't ruin any of the magic that unfolds in the rest of this movie, but what is interesting to note is that during filming, Irglová and Hansard quickly developed an on-set relationship, and are still seeing each other to this day. Thus, what unfolds on the screen between them is genuine chemistry, and combined with low production values and intimate style of shooting, we quickly begin to feel as if we are not watching two people acting, but rather are given a privileged view into two real people as they fall in love.

The ending (guaranteed to bring a smile to your face and a lump to your throat - unless you are incapable of emotion) is indicative of just how flawless a movie this is.

This year, you can have your Hairsprays and Sweeny Todds. Take your Oscar buzz, hollywood propaganda machine, and your Golden Globe nominations and shove them. Although Once was shockingly snubbed for any Golden Globe nominations, you don't need critics, fixed awards shows, or even me to tell you this is a good movie. You just need to see it for yourself.

Once was released on DVD December 17.

"Once" at Rotten Tomatoes - 98%
"Once" at IMDB
Official "Once" Trailer