Possibly the best "music movie"

Rating: 10/10 (8 October 2007)

Describing this movie by using a genre is problematic, because if you use the phrase "musical" or "music video" there are a substantial number of people whose eyes will glaze over as they back away from you. But that is essentially what is being done here, in terms of technique: It takes the too-cramped promise of the self-contained "story" music video and unfolds it to a series of effortlessly connected segments that, on paper, would be called a "musical." The unfortunate baggage that accompanies both of those genres is why my favorite way to recommend this movie is "See it! See it! SEE IT!!!!"
"Once" avoids both Hollywood and Broadway while managing to capture something elemental and deeply moving about the art of creating real music, the understandable dangers that can erode the dreams of creative people and the sacrifices that may be required to keep yourself on the path you believe is right.