Once
Academy Award × 1
Rent/Purchase
A vacuum repairman moonlights as a street musician and hopes for his big break. One day a Czech immigrant, who earns a living selling flowers, approaches him with the news that she is also an aspiring singer-songwriter. The pair decide to collaborate, and the songs that they compose reflect the story of their blossoming love.
What critics thought
One of the most warmly received films of its decade, Once won over critics with its lo-fi intimacy, naturalistic performances from two musicians-turned-actors, and a Dublin setting that felt both specific and universal. The dominant critical argument was not whether it was good — nearly everyone agreed it was — but how good: comparisons ranged from Brief Encounter to the best music film of a generation, and it landed near the top of year-end lists across North America.
“Not since Before Sunset has a romantic film managed to be as touching, funny or as hard to forget as Once. Like Before Sunset, it never outstays its welcome, climaxing on a note of rare charm and unexpectedness.”
Sukhdev Sandhu·The Telegraph
“more inspirational and uplifting than almost any number of Dreamgirls or Chicago or any of those multi-zillion dollar musical showstopping films. In its own way, it will blow you away.”
Richard Roeper·At the Movies with Ebert & Roeper
“Carney has created a sublime, visual album of unassuming and self-assured eloquence.”
Amy Simmons·Time Out London
“Once has wonderfully natural performances from the two leads. Although musicians first and actors second, they acquit themselves well in both areas. Irglová, a largely unknown quantity alongside the well-known and either loved or loathed Hansard, is luminous.”
RTÉ
Genres
Drama, Music, Musical
Cast & Crew
DirectorJohn Carney
StarringGlen Hansard, Markéta Irglová, Hugh Walsh, Gerard Hendrick, Alaistair Foley
ComposerGlen Hansard, Markéta Irglová
Once
Academy Award × 1
A vacuum repairman moonlights as a street musician and hopes for his big break. One day a Czech immigrant, who earns a living selling flowers, approaches him with the news that she is also an aspiring singer-songwriter. The pair decide to collaborate, and the songs that they compose reflect the story of their blossoming love.
What critics thought
One of the most warmly received films of its decade, Once won over critics with its lo-fi intimacy, naturalistic performances from two musicians-turned-actors, and a Dublin setting that felt both specific and universal. The dominant critical argument was not whether it was good — nearly everyone agreed it was — but how good: comparisons ranged from Brief Encounter to the best music film of a generation, and it landed near the top of year-end lists across North America.
“Not since Before Sunset has a romantic film managed to be as touching, funny or as hard to forget as Once. Like Before Sunset, it never outstays its welcome, climaxing on a note of rare charm and unexpectedness.”
Sukhdev Sandhu·The Telegraph
“more inspirational and uplifting than almost any number of Dreamgirls or Chicago or any of those multi-zillion dollar musical showstopping films. In its own way, it will blow you away.”
Richard Roeper·At the Movies with Ebert & Roeper
“Carney has created a sublime, visual album of unassuming and self-assured eloquence.”
Amy Simmons·Time Out London
“Once has wonderfully natural performances from the two leads. Although musicians first and actors second, they acquit themselves well in both areas. Irglová, a largely unknown quantity alongside the well-known and either loved or loathed Hansard, is luminous.”
RTÉ
Genres
Drama, Music, Musical
Cast & Crew
DirectorJohn Carney
StarringGlen Hansard, Markéta Irglová, Hugh Walsh, Gerard Hendrick, Alaistair Foley
ComposerGlen Hansard, Markéta Irglová
Rent/Purchase