Once - The Motion Picture and the Music
Ranked #14,313 in Entertainment, #175,210 overall
An Irish Love Story and Musical
Once is the story of two broken hearts who meet in Dublin, a busker trying to scrape the courage together to follow his love to London and a Czech immigrant who's husband didn't understand her music, who's come to Ireland with her daughter. They meet in the street over music, progress through awkwardness and friendship, finding their own voices. Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova are both professional musicians (Hansard played for the Frames), who made the film in three weeks and spent a lot of time trying to get it seen.
It recieved a number of awards and "Falling Slowly" won the 2007 Academy Award for Best Original Song. The pair have now formed the duo 'The Swell Season' and have released three albums - 'The Swell Season', the soundtrack for Once and most recently 'Strict Joy'.
One of the most genuine films I have ever seen
I would recommend Once to anyone who likes music, to those with a soft spot for Ireland, and slightly more intelligent romance stories. It's a movie to get lost in, or just have playing while you enjoy the music - and makes a perfect mother's day gift, I can say with great assurance!
Contents at a Glance
Have you seen Once?
What did you think?
Once - About the Film
Buy 'Once' on Amazon and see for yourself
Once
Amazon Price: $4.24 (as of 06/02/2012)
List Price: $14.98
Used Price: $1.88
...or pick it up in different formats: 'Once' on CD and Blu-Ray
Neither of the two leads were actors - they were both professional musicians
Awards
'Once' has won various awards for its soundtrack and story
- Academy Award for Best Original Song for "Falling Slowly" (2007)
- Audience award at the Sundance Film Festival (2007)
- Audience award at the Dublin Film Festival (2007)
- Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Music (2007)
- Third on Entertainment Weekly's "25 Best Romantic Movies of the Past 25 Years" (2008)
- Independent Spirit Award for best foreign film (2008)
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Nominated for two 2008 Grammy Awards
- Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media
- for "Falling Slowly", Best Song Written for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media - Number two on the Entertainment Weekly 25 New Classic Soundtrack Albums list (1983-2008)
- ...and best of all, giving it to her made my mother very happy!
"Falling Slowly" winning Best Original Song Oscar
80th Annual Academy Awards®.
Rotten Tomato Rating
Tomatometer: 97%
Reviews Counted:148
Consensus: A charming, captivating tale of love and music, Once sets the standard for the modern musical. And with Dublin as its backdrop, Once is fun and fresh. Once (2007) Review at Rotten Tomatoes
What did you think about 'Once'?
Review the film here
Once
Masterprint
Buy at AllPosters.com
Is Once worth watching at least once?
Yes! It's a beautiful film, with amazing music!
No, it's not worth your time or your money
Once - The Music
The soundtrack to the film is even better than the film itself.
"A little movie called Once gave me enough inspiration to last the rest of the year"
Steven Spielberg
Download the 'Once' soundtrack from iTunes
Once
Framed CD
Buy at AllPosters.com
| Track | Artist | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|
| If You Want Me | Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova | Once (Music from the Motion Picture) | |
| When Your Mind's Made Up | Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova | Once (Music from the Motion Picture) | |
| Say It to Me Now | Glen Hansard | Once (Music from the Motion Picture) | |
| The Hill | Marketa Irglova | Once (Music from the Motion Picture) | |
| Lies | Glen Hansard | Once (Music from the Motion Picture) | |
| Falling Slowly | Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova | Once (Music from the Motion Picture) | |
| Once | Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova | Once (Music from the Motion Picture) | |
| All the Way Down | Glen Hansard | Once (Music from the Motion Picture) | |
| Fallen from the Sky | Glen Hansard | Once (Music from the Motion Picture) | |
| Leave | Glen Hansard | Once (Music from the Motion Picture) | |
| Trying to Pull Myself Away | Glen Hansard | Once (Music from the Motion Picture) | |
| Gold | Interference | Once (Music from the Motion Picture) | |
| Broken Hearted Hoover Fixer Sucker Guy | Glen Hansard | Once (Music from the Motion Picture) |
"I had been falling in love with her for a long time, but I kept telling myself she's just a kid", says Hansard, 37, who has known his 19-year-old costar for the past six years. (The two are now dating.) "There was definitely the feeling we were documenting something precious and private."
Entertainment Weekly: "'Once' a Hero"
Video Clips of 'Once', set to 'Falling Slowly'
Get a feel for the film, listen to the music
I don't know you
But I want you
All the more for that
Words fall through me
And always fool me
And I can't react
And games that never amount
To more than they're meant
Will play themselves out
Take this sinking boat and point it home
We've still got time
Raise your hopeful voice you have a choice
You've made it now
Slow Motion by David Gray
The album that 'Once' is closest to.
David Gray is Welsh, and perhaps it's that hint of a lyrical accent as well that increases the power and beauty in the music? (Along with Glen Hansard's Irishness and Markéta Irglová's Czech speech). I don't know - but if you like one of these, you'll adore the other.
ONCE: Clips and Songs from YouTube
Watch and listen to selections from 'Once' on YouTube
Once: "When Your Mind's Made Up"
Song performed by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova.
So, if you want something
And you call, call
Then'll come running
To fight, and I'll be at your door
When there's something worth running for
When your mind's made up
When your mind's made up
There's no point trying to change it
When your mind's made up
When your mind's made up
There's no point trying to stop it
The Swell Season
Their first album
Strict Joy
The latest album from "The Swell Season'
The Commitments
A similar previous Irish singing film by Glen Hansard
The Commitments is a soundtrack I grew up with and later discovered was a film. It's a lot grittier and funnier than Once but similar in conception - poor musicians in Ireland get together in a band, make very good music, then collapse.
A quote from one of the Amazon reviews sums up my feelings perfectly:
"Keep in mind that this is one of the greatest films ever made in the 1990s, so influential and original to the extent that it made the British Film Institute's list of the best 100 films ever made in Ireland and the British Isles during the last century. Yet eerily, I can only count on two hands the number of people who've seen it! This has gotta change!
The Commitments (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)
Amazon Price: $69.97 (as of 06/03/2012)
List Price: $26.98
Used Price: $19.88
An irresistible, comic drama from director Alan Parker (Evita, Mississippi Burning), overflowing and alive with passion, humor, and music, The Commitments showcases some old R&B standards in a new light. A headstrong, fast-talking, ambitious young Dubliner (Robert Arkins) fancies himself a promoter of talent, and sets about assembling and packaging a local Irish R&B band. His group of self-absorbed, backbiting, but stunningly talented individuals begin to succeed beyond his wildest dreams, until petty jealousies and recrimination threaten to scuttle the whole deal. A moody, vivid, and soulful exploration of the Dublin club scene as well as a showcase for some wonderful unknown actors, the film (and its wonderful soundtrack) also features the actual band covering classic soul tunes from the likes of Otis Redding and Sam and Dave. It's that combination of soul and soul music that makes The Commitments a special little film. --Robert Lane
Get a quick taste of 'The Commitments'
The irish busker played by Glen Hansard was never named. He was listed as 'Guy' in the credits
In the Name of the Grandfather
The 'Once' stars star in the Simpsons
In this episode the Simpsons cast visit Ireland, during which the Irish busker and the Eastern European immigrant from Once make appearances.
Sex Pies & Idiot Scrapes
Amazon Price: $1.99 (as of 06/03/2012)
List Price:
Other Recommendations
If you already know you like 'Once', then you might enjoy these
If you loved Once, you might also enjoy:
Once: Music from the Motion Picture
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Strict Joy (Limited Deluxe Version includes CD, Live CD and DVD)
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Other Music and Film Lenses
More music and film reviews
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Stazjia
Sep 18, 2010 @ 4:57 am | delete
- I'd never heard of this film but, now I've read your review and heard some of the music, I would really love to see it. Blessed by an Angel.
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Joan4
Sep 17, 2010 @ 6:25 pm | delete
- I had never heard of "Once", but Falling Slowly is a beautiful song. Thank you for the introduction.
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WordCustard
Apr 15, 2010 @ 11:41 am | delete
- Your passion for 'Once' shines through, and this is a worthy tribute to it that has captured its warmth and originality. I've seen the film and have included it on a review lens of my own as a recommendation for those who like the movie 'The Visitor' (which is another low-key, intelligent film about human connection through music). I'll definitely be featuring your lens over there.
Delighted to leave an *~*~ Angel Blessing ~*~* here.
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culturenerd Mar 17, 2010 @ 12:48 am | delete
- I absolutely adore this movie! My roommate showed it to me a while back... and the soundtrack is absolutely amazing. My favorite songs are Falling Slowly (of course) and If You Want Me. Such beautiful songs. Thanks for the great lens!
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Tracy_Smith
Mar 16, 2010 @ 10:56 pm | delete
- Thanks for letting me know about a really nice movie. So many movies these days are pure junk, this one looks nice.
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