Once

I have been lucky with movies recently. I picked up “Once” in the DVD shop as I like the description in the case. A few hours later, I liked the film very much as well. From IMDB: “A modern-day musical about a busker and an immigrant and their eventful week in Dublin, as they write, rehearse and record songs that tell their love story”. It is one of these movies that are sometimes called “small” (with no disrespect) as it is a simple tale of loneliness being replaced by love and friendship. But most importantly, it succeeds in being different and original.

One of main features of this movie is its music. One of the songs (“Falling Slowly”) won the 2008 Oscar Academy Award for Best Original Song. Without being a classic musical there is music all along it and it is simply beautiful. My favorite scene is when the GUY and the GIRL play this song together for the first time in the instrument shop.

I don't know you
But I want you
All the more for that
Words fall through me
And always fool me
And I can't react
And games that never amount
To more than they're meant
Will play themselves out

Take this sinking boat and point it home
We've still got time
Raise your hopeful voice you have a choice
You'll make it now

Falling slowly, eyes that know me
And I can't go back
Moods that take me and erase me
And I'm painted black
You have suffered enough
And warred with yourself
It's time that you won

Take this sinking boat and point it home
We've still got time
Raise your hopeful voice you had a choice
You've made it now
Falling slowly sing your melody
I'll sing along

(thanks stlyrics!).

It is hardly surprising that the music is really nice considering that the main characters are musicians and not actors. Indeed, Glen Hansard, the GUY, is very famous in Ireland.

So if you like small but touching stories that do not are necessarily the product of big budgets and if you like singers/songwriters that can convey deep emotions with no more than a guitar, give it a try.