Once Review

Artful by avckc
This movie is intimate and bittersweet. The music, characters, and performances are all wonderful. The cinematic style is "vonTrier-esque." It hits all the right notes with its humor and restraint, and its love of music is contagious. There are times in the movie when I craved more backstory, but ultimately, I didn't need it. If you like artful films which ignore hollywood convention, I think you will like this film. If you are patient and enjoy being drawn in to movies, musical performances, the creative process, and a budding relationship (with complexities), I think you will adore this film. Having seen it, I can't stop reflecting on it.

Once - A love story by GEMsMommy
Beautifully done, I was very touched from the very beginning. A story of love, its pains and joys, and the making of art. The songs, most written and performed by the 2 leads, were beautiful in their simplicity and poignancy. I will buy the CD and recommend it to everyone.

Ode to Casa Blanca by Dibber
I saw this film in January at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival and was thrilled to learn that it had been picked up and going to be released. It follows the mishap meeting of two hopeful musicians. The realism that is brought to the screen by both Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova is amazing, not to mention their signing. It is a little slow in spots, but well worth your time. I HIGHLY advise going to see it. It is old fashion film making at it's best.

transporting by smpratt89
I can count on one hand the films I've seen in the last few years that truly transported me out of the theater seat and into the world of the creator. This is one. Truly moving. The documentary feel of the film and the raw acting talents of the two stars gives theis an authenticy rarely encountered. You feel like you are part of the process of creating beautiful music along with these two. Irglova's face was mesmerizing.

Brilliantly Stated--A story for those who love HOPE and go after it. by prfctnINfilms
A film with no violence, no sex, nothing dirty. No wonder some would walk out. For those of us who can still feel our hearts beating, and enjoy feeling young again, with struggles, not a lot of money, just a little hope, this is a good see film. Uplifting, hopeful, even though the very real characters are not so "pretty". Not your ordinary love story. More about life and having the guts to follow through and take the road your heart is calling you to take. Not gooshy, not lovey dovey, just real young people making their way in "LIFE". Not everything has to be about gore and violence. Thanks to this filmmaker. You did good! The acting is above what you normally see on the screen, and the editing is wonderful. GOOD JOB!

FINALLY!! A Summer Movie Worth Seeing!! by LindaItaly
What a great summer surprise, to find such a beautifully told story worth watching, so naturally acted and with amazing music to experience at the same time. . . mesmerizing in fact! This is the kind of ?sleeper? movie that ends up at the Academy Awards just because of its creative spirit and incredible uniqueness of story telling. I looked around the rest of the theater and saw the rest of the audience as captive as we were . . . You?ll be walking out like the rest of us did, checking out the movie poster for the names of the characters that made such beautiful music . . . what a surprise to find out that the actual actors wrote their own music that they sang and played in the movie . . . now that was amazing! We will definitely be seeing them at the Academy Awards!

The Best Film of 2007 by cwalton
I would actually say this is probably one of my favorite movies ever, too. It's small, so don't expect huge effects, big budget production design, or actors polishing up for next year's Oscars. This is a simple tale about an Irish street musician who meets a fellow soul mate in a Czech pianist....and what happens next. It's a story that's true and honest and real and unlike anything else I've ever seen. There are certain scenes, shots and moments in this movie that are just magical. They're moments that big budgeted studio pictures wish they could achieve and hardly ever do. I also know I'm hyping this film up a lot, and for some, it may not live up to my praise, but really, it's not meant to be this 'massive hit.' I believe more people will see how special and unforgettable this 'small movie' truly is...along with one other film of 2007, "The Lives of Others," this one is just about perfect.

Excellent Film! by noapollyon
This film is a breath of fresh air! The truthfulness and simplicity of it's portrayal of the life of a truly amazing street performing singer/songwriter is phenomenal!

Once more with feeling by trime
Great acting, music and storyline. Exemplary of the power and magic of "chance" meetings, reminding us there's really no such thing as an accident.