The Greatest Romantic Film Of Our Generation

Rating: 10/10 (16 May 2010)

Picture this. A love-story with no recognizable leads (real life musicians Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová), no dating, no kissing and no lovemaking. That would seem incomprehensible to the most of you, but it struck a chord with me, and in the first 10 seconds of the movie, at that. It delivers a message that is shouting to be heard – "Love doesn't always have to be romantic in nature. There's more to it than meets the eye". Once tells the story of a busker and a single Czech immigrant mother, who are united by their love for music. The movie explores their eventful week in Dublin.
Now, first things first. This cannot be deemed as a musical, because there is no out of place dancing or clowns prancing. That said, the soul-stirring soundtrack sets the tone of the film, and also accounts for moments of sheer magic between the two leads. The film is grounded in simplicity, and that's what dazzles you the most. In case you do see it, watch out for the moments when they play Frisbee at the beach at 4 in the morning, or when the girl whispers to her sleeping daughter, a promise to pay her back, when she breaks her piggy-bank to buy batteries for the disc-man. These are moments that have to be treasured, for they have been long forgotten, buried with Frank Capra and Charlie Chaplin.
Once is, quite simply, the film of our generation that takes love to a whole new level – a level that's pristine and free of all wrongdoings, as it was meant to be.The lyrics to one of the best songs from the film immaculately sum it all up.
Take this sinking boat and point it home, We've still got time. Raise your hopeful voice, you have a choice, You'll make it now
We've all seen the starry eyed Meg Ryan and Hugh Grant flicks. It's time to make a hard choice. Break away from the insanely abused notions of romanticism. Watch Once. And fall in love the way you've never done before
Aashish Belwalkar