Once [2007] (REGION 1) (NTSC)

Amazon.co.uk Review

Winner of the World Audience Award at Sundance, Once starts out as a small-scale romance, like Before Sunrise, before arriving somewhere unexpected. An Irish busker (Glen Hansard, the Frames and The Commitments) meets a Czech flower seller (Markéta Irglová) while singing on the streets of Dublin. (In the credits, they're listed as Guy and Girl.) She likes what she hears and lets him know. Turns out she's a musician, too. They work on a few songs together and a friendship is forged. She lives with her widowed mother, who doesn't speak English. He lives with his widowed father, who owns a repair shop. Since he broke up with his girlfriend, the guy has been drifting, unable and unwilling to get his life in order. The girl encourages him to pursue a record deal, and the guy emerges from his funk. Then he makes a move on the girl, who rejects his advances. He's confused, but as he comes to find, there's a reason she's keeping her distance. Though Once is filled with appealing folk-pop by Hansard and Irglová (released on CD as The Swell Season), the movie isn't a traditional musical, but rather a more optimistic Brief Encounter. Filmmaker John Carney, Hansard's former bandmate, captures the real city--in all its affluence and poverty--rather than the picture postcard version. His beautifully shot film serves as a heartfelt ballad about all the underclass Guys and Girls swept aside amidst Ireland's economic miracle. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Customer Reviews:

Great movie.......2008-03-03

If there is one film that went a little unnoticed it was this little gem. With great chemistry between the leads, the film is interesting study of two lost souls trying to fix one another via the means of music. funny, sad and also intrieging. loved the songs too and if your a fan of the film it's worth trying the soundtrack as well. Best Movie of last year along with Atonement.

A perfect romantic comedy, with a brilliant soundtrack .......2008-03-03

I discovered after watching the film that it is penned as a modern day musical. Although I am a fan of musicals both old and new I am worried that this categorisation will put people off. This is a wonderful feel good film and I welcomed the change after my recent string of tragic dramas and predictable romantic comedies. I may be repeating previous reviews but the appealing thing about this film is the handheld style in which it is flmed and the fact that the two main actors are friends and write songs together in real life explains why their relationship and the musical scenes between them are so convincing. I think everyone can relate in some way to their relationship too, they meet at the right time to sort each other out and we are treated to a string of fantastic songs as a result, that I expect will result in a bestselling album. Although I usually go for the obvious more cheesy romantic comedies, I wish more films were made like this, I wanted to watch it again the minute it finished and will be watching it whenever I need to feel more optimistic about life! Don't miss it!

Unique & Intimate.......2008-03-01

About 2/3 of the way through ONCE I grew extremely concerned it was building up to a big, Hollywood-Blockbuster ending. After all, I liked this film... liked the leads and the intimate conversational tone the hand-held cameras evoked. Almost as if we, the audience, were right there... helping to make beautiful music and witnessing first-hand the growing attraction between the Irish troubadour and Czech flower-seller (who also happened to play piano & sing a mean harmony).

And there you have it - a bittersweet love story unfurled against a backdrop of excellent music. The ending couldn't have been more perfect (I needn't have worried)and after a quick trip to iTunes to download the soundtrack, I was able to sit back and reflect on what a good film this actually was.

Oscar winner.......2008-02-25

The track Falling Slowly won the Best Music (Song) Oscar last night for the two co-stars of this film, who both wrote and perform the song.
Well done to them! I haven't seen the film yet, waiting on the DVD to arrive in the next few day and my rating is for the Oscar win!

Refreshing and different.......2008-01-30

Saw this at the cinema now have it on order. It's a brilliant film, it's not over polished or really fake, and takes you on a journey with the two main characters. The music is good and it doesn't feel like a musical because it is intertwined within the storyline. Well worth a watch.

Once Upon a Time: A Storybook Collection [2007] (REGION 1) (NTSC)

Average customer rating:

Once Upon a Time: A Storybook Collection [2007] (REGION 1) (NTSC)

Manufacturer: BKN
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Animated | Comedy | Categories | DVD | Video

All Children's DVD | Children's DVD | Categories | DVD | Video

DVD | Format (binding_browse-bin) | Refinements | DVD | Video

Box Set | Format (binding_browse-bin) | Refinements | DVD | Video
ASIN: B000UNYJSQ
Release Date: 2007-11-06

DVD:

DVD List

DVD