Thehibikiew Not even bad in a good way

Solidrariol Am I Missing Something?

Aedonerre I gave this film a 9 out of 10, because it was exactly what I expected it to be.

Robert Joyner The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

bombersflyup Once is an amateurish little music/romance film, but touching nevertheless.I like Glen Hansard's type of sound, like that of the one and only "David Gray." It really carries the film, as many of the other aspects aren't explored and are underwritten. It's a very a clever way of marketing yourself in today's world. He has also had some acting experience in the 1991 film "The Commitments," which I also liked. I don't really understand Marketa's character's choice at the end, as she looks out the window. Overall it is a little light on substance, but I liked it.

kkaustubhv The Best movie i have seen til now..Nothing more to say ..just watch it alone in a quite place and you will know what i am talking about

sharky_55 He is, like in many indie feature before him, a struggling musician with enough street smarts to know and play what the crowd wants to hear during the day, and then sing his heart out at night when no one listens and his voice is at its most sincere. His well-worn guitar has a great big hole in it, but that does not make the music any less from the heart - any musician whom has played and treasured an instrument through many periods of their lives will find this sigh familiar. And he is guarded too, so when he is asked a pointed question about past loves, he answers through half-mocking tunes because he knows he cannot commit emotionally to a fully sincere explanation. He hides behind the only thing he knows and can rely on. She too, has fallen into the same routine. She has her own emotional baggage, but it isn't quite as evident, because she doesn't just shoulder her own burdens, but also those of her non-English speaking mother and young daughter. She cannot afford the time to be busking her heart out, but puts aside an hour each day to quietly play at the local piano shop. But does all this mean they are destined together? Certainly Hollywood has told us before, and even the tagline misleading suggests this (no doubt a producers request - Glen Hansard did well to adamantly go against an eventual romantic ending). And the viewer too, has been conditioned to want this. When she replies to him with a cryptic declaration of love, there are no subtitles for the Czech language, because it is a way for her to say those words without actually committing to them. By the end of the film, they both know that although there is a feeling there, the time and circumstance is not right. If you look closely you see two people who are not emotionally healthy and stable to end up together. They want and are headed in different directions; he to further his music career, her to mend her family. With a shoestring budget, skeleton crew and amateur actors John Carney has delivered something rare and magical. The style takes a bit getting used to; certainly the way that passers by don't even acknowledge the hand-held cameras is disconcerting at first, and the lack of lighting setup is a altogether less glamorous look than we are used to. And yes, there are some cheesy moments. The first harmony comes together so perfectly that it does betray the story a little (and yes although harmonising is not as difficult as it looks it is what the scene suggests of the pairing). Then there is that moment at the bank where the small loans manager inexplicably reveals that he too had a musical calling, but has kept it hidden away inside. And then the predictable turn of opinion from Eamon as he scoffs over the phone at these 'oddballs', puts his feet up, and the then ragtag band proceed to play a near perfect rendition of the first track. Oh, but the best films are able to overlook these issues. When Hansard first hits that high note on the "time" of Falling Slowly, I got chills on my arms, and that isn't something of a logical or rational reaction at all. I knew at once from experience that it would be the lead song of the movie and that more renditions would be coming, but then when it comes it hits like a train and wow, what a story these lyrics tell.

Allguns Allguns John Carney shows with Once that a great movie can be made with only three things: A good idea, a camera and the will of making it work. From scene one this movie touched me, 'cause it felt so real, unlikely most of big budgets movies. All the long shots, showing the real movement of the city. Terrific, there is no other words.Despite being amazingly done, Once is not flawless. I felt that John Carney wasn't comfortable using the camera in the beginning, I felt like he couldn't find the right spot. The first duet shows it clearly. But he started loosing up, relaxing and he find himself a couple scenes later.Talking about flaws in the movie, this is one of a few movies that feel completely organic, alive, a movie that flows. That said, the scene during the break of the recording session, when the protagonist go to the room with the piano, couldn't be more artificial. I wont lie, I was ashamed with that simple scene. The girl walks randomly through the studio and end in a dark room with a piano illuminated by a lamp. C'mon! There was many other better situations to create that particular scene, without losing the organic feeling.As I said above, this movie feel so real and organic, mostly to someone in the "amateur" music, that one can see himself in some scenes. Like the rehearsal of the five members band in a little bedroom, or the big dinner party with all the parallel conversations and music jam. The montages, the walks, the talks, the characters. ALL SO REAL!Casting non-professional or at least no high profile actors, made all the difference. When there is no spotlight in the actors, it is easier to fall for the story. I mean, if a actor that I like is on the movie, I'll wait for him to be on screen, I'll go for the detail in his performance, maybe even taking a side before the development of a discussion. That affects the viewer. But this movie doesn't have this problem!The whole story is credible. Is not a fairy tale, or a cliché-novel, it is a story of two completely strangers who find themselves in the world and become friends. From scene one to the end credits, is a lovely story of someone you could know or even be.I wont lie, I wanted the two to end together. But there was the ex's, to who everybody want to get back and try to make it work. That felt so real, like it had happened to me. Oh wait, it did! Anyway... Although, the movie wouldn't be that great movie with them together in the end. Buying her the piano wouldn't be such a big deal if they were together. It would be a big present, but not THAT BIG DEAL.And the music. What can I say? I love Singer-Songwriter stuff, like Damien Rice and Laura Marling. I'll buy the soundtrack as soon as possible. And I need to learn the jam of the bus. "F*CK HER, F*CK HER... F*CK HER, SHE'S GONE!"