making music with the Irish, both traditional and new

Rating: 10/10 (16 March 2009)

Breath-taking. Life affirming. Are there any superlatives left unwritten for this film? A Dublin busker comes across a Czech woman selling flowers and The Big Issue. She has a broken Hoover; his Dad knows how to fix such appliances. He writes his own songs; she has access to the pianos in a musical instrument shop. And a flair for making canny business deals. His heart has been broken, her dreams have been severely corrupted by life's realities. We never know their names. But more importantly we get to know their music.
Like Before Sunrise, this film takes two wanderers and anchors them for a short, magical time in each other, before setting them apart once more. Like Hedwig, it weaves a simple story around some great songs. But Once is a stand-alone film, an absorbing, moving tale, full of great music, interesting characters, and acutely observed moments. At one point the busker plays his demo tape to his Dad as a prelude to leaving home. Dad loves the music, and practically shoves him out the door. His heart is breaking with love and pride, but it is all left unsaid. The girl makes one declaration in Czech that says it all (you'll look it up - everyone does). That the busker has no idea what she said is symbolic of what makes this film so delicious.
If there is a God, all films will be like this from now on.