Once is an Irish film with the feel of a musical. Shot on the streets of Dublin on a shoestring budget, the Oscar-winning film tells the story of 2 Dubliners with a passion for music. Quite unique in its genre, Once is above all a film full of modesty and emotion, which should appeal to music fans!
The story takes place on the streets of Dublin today. A melancholy young Dubliner with a passion for music performs a number of songs, armed with his guitar, to share his recent break-up with passers-by. One day is like the next, until he unexpectedly meets a young Czech woman who has come to Dublin to make a life for herself. The latter seems touched by what’s happening to her and offers to play a duet, with her playing the piano.
Numerous interpretations followed, and the duo ended up forming a deep friendship.
Once is a rather atypical film, oscillating between realistic pseudo-documentary, fiction and musical comedy. The style is sometimes disconcerting, but quickly wins the viewer over with its musical ambience, the atmosphere of Dublin’s streets, and the touching performances of the actors.
It has to be said that the film has the particularity of setting the story in a very present-day Dublin, through its popular streets, music stores, pubs and stores. A modern presentation of the city, presenting Dublin above all as a lively, dynamic, multi-cultural capital.
For the record, Once was filmed in less than 15 days on a shoestring budget: even the actors weren’t paid a fee for their performance. So the award received at the Oscars was unexpected, to say the least, and served to highlight the musical talent of the duo formed by Glen Hansard (leader of The Frames) and Markéta Irglová, also a professional musician.
4.62/5 (754 votes)
