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Once (2006) Certificate 15

Once
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Rated 3.5 stars
Average rating
(70%)
 
Starring: Alaistair Foley | Catherine Hansard | Glen Hansard | Kate Haugh | Senan Haugh | Darren Healy | Gerard Hendrick | Bill Hodnett
Director: John Carney
Studio: ICON HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Run time: 85 mins
Genres: Drama | Music/Musical | Romance
Languages: English
Released: February 25, 2008

A modern-day musical about a busker and an immigrant and their eventful week, as they write, rehearse and record songs that tell their love story.

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Rating of 4 stars out of 5
Time Out

Winner of the Audience Award at this years Sundance, John Carneys poignant, modern-day love story set on the...

Highest rated reviews

208 out of 215 people found the following review helpful:

Rated 5.0 stars
Once

SAI81 from from Tonbridge, 14th October, 2007

Guy (Hansard) meets Girl (Irglova). He’s a busker who fixes hoovers on the side. She sells flowers, plays piano, and has a broken hoover. They start making music together, become friends and, maybe, more? If you’ve got a first date coming up then you should take the object of your affection to see Once. If they are so stony hearted that they don’t warm to this utterly charming romantic musical then there’s no need for a second date. Originally John Carney’s film was going to be rather different. Glen Hansard of Dublin band The Frames (in which Carney used to play) had been drafted to write the songs and Cillian Murphy had been cast opposite Irglova. With weeks remaining before shooting Murphy dropped out and Hansard, after much cajoling, took the role himself. It’s difficult to imagine the movie any other way now. Hansard and Irglova are obviously comfortable with one another (the two had been playing music together and Hansard had recommended Irglova for the part), which allows both to give utterly natural performances and their dialogue to have an easy flow about it, in short to make the conversations seem like they aren’t scripted but merely observed. Both create very full characters in quite short order and it’s impossible not to fall a bit in love with them. This is certainly helped along by Hansard’s glorious songs. The first time Guy and Girl sing together (on Falling Slowly, the opening lines of which “I don’t know you / but I want you / all the more for that”, neatly encapsulate the movie) there is a palpable chemistry, a charge which then powers the whole movie. The other songs range from the comic (Broken Hearted Hoover Fixer Sucker Guy) to the heartfelt (When Your Mind’s Made Up and achingly lovely Irglova solo If You Want Me) and all are beautifully played and sung with much of the music feeling like it is recorded live. It is impossible not to warm to and root for these people, be it for their songs to be successful or simply for them to get together despite obstacles like Girl’s estranged huband, who she’s left in the Czech republic and Guy’s plans to go to London. The indelible romantic moment comes after a motorcycle ride when Guy asks how to say, “Do you love him?” in Czech. When he asks his answer comes back in Czech, untranslated in the film. It’s a wonderfully ambiguous moment and one that leaves (most) audiences free to come to their own conclusion. This is not your typical movie romance. It may end at the airport but there’s no big chase no pat ending. It’s more downbeat, but more real and much more affecting. Once is a wonderful film and one that deserves a wide audience

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99 out of 106 people found the following review helpful:

Rated 1.0 stars
WHY EVEN WATCH THIS - ONCE

A Customer from Wales, 3rd March, 2008

Why did they make this, even ONCE? This gets NO STAR really, but I had to give it one to write this review. There are no saving graces - not the acting, the storyline (if you can wait long enough to find, or even care if there is one), or the obvious interaction of the main characters (sweet as they must have tried to make them - but failed) - I confess I did not watch it to the end - I had much better things to do with my time - like ripping my nails out or 'thinking' about eating my mother-in-law's food (maybe that is going a bit too far) , as you must, I hope. I have Celtic connections, but try as I have I cannot see any reason to watch this bland and pointless film. The worst yet!

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65 out of 71 people found the following review helpful:

Rated 0.0 stars
Once

A Customer from Glastonbury, 4th March, 2008

Apart from a breif appearence from a mugger with a personality at the begining of the film this was the most boring film I have watched in a long time. Who told these people they could sing?

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48 out of 48 people found the following review helpful:

Rated 5.0 stars
Absolutely breathtaking

Lunar from , 28th February, 2008

The guy’s voice is so emotive and powerful I was in tears within minutes. The acting and story are wonderful, fabulous songs and oh my that ending! One of the most beautiful films I’ve ever seen. Even the day after scenes and songs are still playing out in my head over and over and I’m going to buy it later today. Essential viewing.

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Most recent reviews

Rated 5.0 stars
REALLY FANTASTIC!

BenBooth from , 28th August, 2010

This film is amazing!.. Its a Independent film which means it doesn't have much on the way of Camera!.. But it totally makes up for it in Soundtrack some FANTASTIC Music and acting.. This is a true cinema great!.

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Rated 3.5 stars
Sweet but not sugary

rabbit1969 from , 7th August, 2010

I fancy Glen Hansard so this may have affected my judgement. I thought both leads played it perfectly, never overdone. The music was mostly moving, the story being mostly about love in its different forms was sweet, nothing too deep and profound here, but a pleasant ride with longing, yearning, quirkiness, sadness & some talented musicians

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Rated 1.0 stars
Sing to me

A Customer from Midlands, 28th July, 2010

If I had to hear the complete song of this film ONCE more, I would scream. I don't mind a film based on a band showcasing some of the music and maybe even a whole single song, but to hear the same song played over and over again just grates in the end, particularly as it is not a good song. It would have been better to focus on the story more than the music. The tagline should read 'Once is enough!'

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Rated 3.5 stars
film Once

Ave from , 27th July, 2010

It was more like a film made for TV, but it was good, I liked the story. Apart from the slightly forced happy ending.

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