Sunday Review - Movie - "Once"

 "Once" in a Lifetime

A million footsteps walk down the cobbled streets of Dublin every day. Not many take the time to buy a rose from the timid flower girl or pause to listen to the talented busker in the boulevard. Yet, late one night, on her way home, the flower girl stops by the busker to listen to him perform. 

“Once” is a beautifully narrated story about two unlikely souls, who are able to rediscover their passion for music. Starring the award-winning Irish singer songwriter Glenn Hansard and Czech musician Markéta Irglová, “Once” is a musical masterpiece. 

At only 88 minutes long, the film manages to tell a simple story in a truly magical manner. Hansard plays the role of a vacuum cleaner repairman and a part time busker. Irglová’s character, on the other hand is a young woman who has recently come to Ireland, in search of a brighter future. She has left her piano back home in Czechoslovakia, and here on the streets of Dublin, she is but a simple flower girl. The everyday struggles of the trade-off between earning enough to survive and following one’s passion are quite relatable. 

The movie has a stellar soundtrack with hits like “Falling Slowly”, “Say it to me now” and “Lies” among others. Such original songs written and performed by the duo provides an endearing authenticity to the movie. 

It is interesting to note that the impeccable casting was by a twist of fate. Writer and producer for the film, John Carney, had originally intended to cast the popular Irish actor Cillian Murphy. It was due to this potential association, that Carney was able to get funding for the film. However, prior to shooting the film, Murphy decided to drop out, citing his inability to sing and do justice to the role. With Murphy’s departure, several producers also pulled out. This left a determined Carney with no option, but to seek the help of those around him. 

Carney persuaded his good friend and songwriter for the film, Glen Hansard to star in the lead role. For the role of an immigrant flower girl, Hansard brought in a family friend from Czechoslovakia. The talented Markéta Irglová, who was only seventeen years old at the time, has a commendable screen presence. Both actors successfully bring a sense of authenticity and rawness to their respective characters. 

Several of Carney’s family members star as background actors in the film and numerous scenes have been shot in Carney’s friend’s homes and on public places around Dublin. The movie was recorded on an old handicam, thus lending the reel an unpolished and vintage appeal. Occasional shaky close ups and grainy wide range shots give a more personable touch to the narration. The editing is superb as well, with music and scene transitions in perfect sync throughout the movie. 

The film takes us through several iconic scenes, such as Hansard and Irglová’s duet at the piano shop, Irglová’s first own song written during a period of utter despair and the crescendo of the duo’s final performance, truly make “Once” a must watch. 

Complete with a surprise ending, “Once” signs off with an interesting message. There is no doubt that you will be thinking about this movie for a long time, or at the very least, find yourself humming the soulful tunes that were peppered generously throughout the film.