Ben
Once (2006)
Starring an Irishman who despite the similarities most definitely isn’t Damien Rice*, Once is the tale of a nameless Guy (Glen Hansard) and Girl (Marketa Irglovia) who meet whilst he is busking in Dublin, and discover that they share the same love of music (he the guitar, she the piano). The plot unfolds in a way that makes the viewer feel deeply connected to the story. Stylistically, the film is shot evoking a feeling of a natural story, happening in real life (the label ‘natural documentary style’, whilst technically not making sense, does seem to fit how close the audience feels to the story). The audience is almost made to feel as if the characters in this film are letting us in on their lives, imaginations, and feelings.
Despite the relatively short run time, quite a lot happens in the film. At points is simply cuts to the middle of a conversation, or an action, which enhances the films ‘diary feel’. It helps that the two leads are unknowns, and that the characters remain anonymous, as it could be a story about anybody, and this is not meant to be a criticism. You can watch (and listen) to this film again and again without tiring of it. Once is a nice, easy going, relaxing film, and you finish watching it with a smile and a sense that the sun is shining slightly brighter, even though it is rather difficult in these snow bound times!
*Whilst funny, this isn’t strictly fair, Glen Hansard does have his own musical career.
KD & RB
Starring an Irishman who despite the similarities most definitely isn’t Damien Rice*, Once is the tale of a nameless Guy (Glen Hansard) and Girl (Marketa Irglovia) who meet whilst he is busking in Dublin, and discover that they share the same love of music (he the guitar, she the piano). The plot unfolds in a way that makes the viewer feel deeply connected to the story. Stylistically, the film is shot evoking a feeling of a natural story, happening in real life (the label ‘natural documentary style’, whilst technically not making sense, does seem to fit how close the audience feels to the story). The audience is almost made to feel as if the characters in this film are letting us in on their lives, imaginations, and feelings.
"During the daytime people would want to hear songs that they know, just songs that they recognize. I play these songs at night or I wouldn't make any money. People wouldn't listen.”
Both characters have relationship baggage, which they write into their songs, expressing their feelings. Obviously the music is central to the film, and rather than films which just happen to have a ‘good soundtrack’, in Once the music is almost another character, uniting Guy and Girl, and expressing itself throughout the film. The words and music are written by Hansard and Irglovia, and at no point do the songs feel forced and written by a large team of writers, which only add to the feeling of the film being a natural and genuine story, and return to the point that the viewer is witnessing something natural.
“Fantastic stuff. That'll be a hit, no question”
Despite the relatively short run time, quite a lot happens in the film. At points is simply cuts to the middle of a conversation, or an action, which enhances the films ‘diary feel’. It helps that the two leads are unknowns, and that the characters remain anonymous, as it could be a story about anybody, and this is not meant to be a criticism. You can watch (and listen) to this film again and again without tiring of it. Once is a nice, easy going, relaxing film, and you finish watching it with a smile and a sense that the sun is shining slightly brighter, even though it is rather difficult in these snow bound times!
*Whilst funny, this isn’t strictly fair, Glen Hansard does have his own musical career.
KD & RB
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