Solid reworking of the song-intensive film

Rating: 7/10 (14 December 2007)

As a musical film Once does wonders to reinvigorate the genre with some much needed realism and urgency. This effect is in no small part due to the faux documentary style breathing staying power into an already well composed Damien Rice-esquire soundtrack. The two lead characters are thoroughly convincing as a pair of struggling souls, trying to make ends meet, who happen to cross paths in a most ordinary and unassuming way. Though the script certainly will not garner any praise (minimal though it may be, subtitles may be required through thick Irish accents), a bittersweet longing, albeit of the mildly shallow variety, does prevail as the overwhelming spirit of this convincing and soulful songwriting romance.