My Review Of "Once" (2006)

How often do you find the right person?

One of my favorite quotes: None this time.

General Info:

Release Dates: Was in limited release on May 16 2007
Rated: R
Why is it rated that: For language
Writer/Director: John Carney
Official Site: http://www.foxsearchlight.com/once/

About the Film: Set in Dublin this romantic comedy focuses on a Vacuum Repairman/Irish street singer who makes more of a living singing on Grafton Street. Whilethere one night he meets a Chezslovikian girl who also works there selling flowers.There they talk about his music and what they like to do. He plays guitar and soonfinds out that she enjoys playing piano, and very well I might add. The two end upgathering a band together to work on making demo CD's to try to get an albumrecorded, while also trying to deal with their own personal lives and problems thatface them. However,I do not want to give too much information. I'll let you goand see the movie to find out for yourself.

Main Cast (In Order)
Alaistair Foley…. Bassist Dude
Catherine Hansard ….. Singer at party
Glen Hansard …. Guy
Markéta Irglová …. Girl
Kate Haugh …. Baby
Senan Haugh …. Husband
Leslie Murphy … Mother
Marcella Plunkett …. Ex Girlfriend

Trivia:

During the filming of the opening scene, because the scene was shot with long lenses placing the crew far away, and without informing the public, who would be crossing through the scene, a bystander attempting to be a hero accidentally injured the thief as he was running away by kneeing him in the groin.

The director and cast were suffering from "South Park" withdrawal during filming and thus one of the characters, a session musician, was named "Timmy" - this is obvious as they depart the studio.

The "look" of Dublin in the film is a call-back to John Carney's and Glen Hansard's recollection of Dublin 10-15 years prior to the film's making - a more working class city.

John Carney was previously a member of The Frames, the band led by Glen Hansard.
The story is partially autobiographical as John Carney lived in Dublin and maintained a long distance relationship with his girlfriend living in London

The flashback footage of Guy's girlfriend is actually that of director John Carney's girlfriend.
Glen Hansard's mother plays a cameo as one of the singers during the party.

What I would rate this movie
I would give this movie a 5/5. It was not only directed well, but it was shot well and the actors in it did an amazing job.