A modern-day musical, and so much more!

Rating: 8/10 (30 January 2011)

John Carney has amazed the entire world with this low budget but high quality indie film. Set in Dublin, tells the story of a "guy" (Irish singer Glen Hansard) stuck in everyday routine in his family business who escapes from it by playing by nights in the streets of Dublin, and a "girl" (Czech musician Markéta Irglová) who struggles with everyday life like an immigrant in Ireland, yet has a talented gift for Piano music. Together, they'll be connected through their art, and realize how music changes the way they see each other, their own lives and the dreams -big or small- they want to accomplish.
Once is an honest, simple, but amazing film. Shot with two digital cameras and with a budget lower than 100000 euros, the direction is powerful yet soft, and goes perfect with the story: close-up shots combined with other general views of the city, with a shivered touch that makes it more interesting, familiar and intimate, as well as in the scenes where the family life of the girl is shown.
A movie full of music, rhythm and romance, that yet has that powerful and calmed silence that makes it more interesting. Such a wonderful surprise, the fact that the movie's songs were written by the two leads, and the main theme "Faillins slowly" was awarded by the American Academy with an Oscar.