I didn't like it

Rating: 5/10 (10 October 2015)

I really wanted to like this film. I feel guilty for not liking it. But it felt over-rated to me. I like how its scenes and dialogue and locations are ultra realistic. It was obviously filmed on a very low budget, in that cold Irish weather. I like how The Guy and The Girl are struggling musicians. But I can't help compare Once to The Commitments. The latter was spirited, smart and sarcastic, and about 5 times better than Once. Once is very earnest and serious - where is that famous Irish humour? Its music is nowhere near as good as The Commitments, and its script and plot is rather dull. To me, there is no sense of tension or passion. I didn't find the songs tuneful and I didn't like the lead guy's voice when he was shouting. It is far more focused on the songs than the story or romance, so it seems more like a band documentary than a romantic film. It's a musos' film. It's far more focused on the guy's feelings than the girl's. Sorry but I won't be watching Once more than once.