Skip the movie, buy the soundtrack

Rating: 8/10 (4 October 2007)

This was the most unusual movie I'd ever give an "8" rating to. But that would be in following with Ebert's rule that guides us to the belief that a movie's worth should be judged by "not what it is about, but how it is about it." This wasn't so much a film, as much a very long, very boring music video. But the music.... holy singer/songwriter, Batman! The music was fantastic! However, I don't think I would ever recommend going to see a movie because of the music alone. Unless it was a concert film or course. Once had as much music as a concert film, but chose to show it in Story Mode.
--POSSIBLE SPOILERS--
For a movie with almost no plot or story, "Once" still had me scratching my head at times. My concern is purely one of finance. None of the characters appeared to have wealth of any sort, yet the Guy was able to pony up $2000 for the recording studio for the weekend? And was then able to buy Girl a brand new piano as a parting gift? So the busker with a beat up, holey guitar, well-worn clothes, and a job in a vacuum cleaner repair shop has several thousand dollars stashed away in a coffee can somewhere? How does a movie with no plot still have plot holes?
--END SPOILERS--
You could sit through this movie with your eyes closed and not miss a single thing of significance. Your ears will thank you, and your eyes won't care.
EDIT:
I have never done this before, but I need to revise my review. "Once" is now out on DVD, but for the record I haven't seen it since my first viewing in the theaters back in October 2007. So what's changed then? Simply put, I haven't really stopped thinking about the film since I've seen it. None of the Hollywood spectacles I've seen since have been as moving or memorable. The pure simplicity and emotional honesty of "Once" lasts a lot longer than its 85 minute runtime. I guess I initially underestimated its impact on me. I am boosting my vote up a notch, from 8 to 9. I can't wait to see it again.