Music of The Heart; one of the year's best & the sleeper of the year

Rating: 10/10 (4 June 2007)

ONCE (2007) **** Irish filmmaker John Carney's lovely, documentary-like drama about a 'busker'  street musician  and a young Czech immigrant known only as "guy" and "girl" (Glen Hansard and Mrketa Irglova), forge an unlikely bond in sharing musical talents and appreciation, when the two new friends decide to record an audition tape, possibly changing their present for a brighter future. A unique love story, artist-on-the-cusp-of-something- big fable and a wonderful look at the human spirit with the underlying theme of the universal language of music. Humorous, heart breaking and human; also has one of the most heart- in-the-throat codas in recent film history: if you don't shed a tear then you my friend are not human. The sleeper of the year; one of the year's best. And my hope for a Best Original Song with the ethereal "If You Want Me".