Very simple, very original, very very good

Rating: 10/10 (22 April 2013)

I remember watching this for the first time and thinking i'm not going to like this. A minute in I was hooked and the film just flew by. I have watched the film again 4 times over a period of time and have enjoyed it just as much each time, the test of a truly great film.
There is a lovely atmosphere throughout the film and the soundtrack is great. What really elevates the film is the thoroughly natural and convincing performances by the leads Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova. There is an obvious chemistry between the two and it's no surprise they became a real life couple despite the age difference.
It's hard to pigeon hole this film as it's like no other I have seen. It is part musical ( but in no way cheesy) and part romance (but in no way corny) and it is quite hard to actually pinpoint exactly why it is so good and so enjoyable.
There is barely a false moment throughout the movie and the ending is just about perfect missing every cliché trap in the book. A resounding success and one of the best films I have ever seen.
For a small film this is a truly remarkable effort