Made in three weeks at a cost of £150,000 (roughly $300,000), Once is not your typical musical.
Set in Dublin and recorded with a couple of handheld cameras, it tells the story of an Irish busker (Glen Hansard) and his chance encounter with a young Czech-born flower seller (Markéta Irglová). Upon hearing him sing in the streets of Dublin, Irglová is immediately drawn to Hansard based on her appreciation of his music. Irglová reveals herself to also be musically gifted with aspirations of becoming a professional musician. The two characters develop a song-writing partnership, together producing some gems, including “Falling Slowly” and “When Your Mind’s Made Up.”
The film is by no means polished, and is definitely not an advertisement for the city of Dublin, but the personalities and character development of the two leads lend the musical its charm. Markéta Irglová, in particular, is a very quirky and endearing character. The songs are introduced seamlessly into the developing storyline and have a folk-like quality similar in style to the work of artists like Damien Rice. The musical explores the relationship that forms between the two musicians, each of whom are emerging from previously failed relationships.
Once is a love-story of sorts, although the pair never become a romantically involved couple, as Irglová resists the advances of Hansard for reasons later revealed in the film. This unrequited love adds to the dramatic appeal of the film, which richly deserves the recent flurry of critical acclaim and awards. Full of heart-felt ballads, Once is a captivating movie that could have quite easily gone unnoticed.
2008 Woodie Awards
