I truly believe that its the simplicity of Once that makes it one of the most endearing films around. It’s a simple story where our guy (Glen Hansard) is a busker who does what he can to get by. He works in his dad’s vacuum repair shop, but his true passion is his guitar. In the day he plays covers, but at night, he plays his own songs. One evening, he plays and this attracts attention of girl (Marketa Irglova), a Czech immigrant who sells the big issue. While they start off with him being frosty, she gives him a chance.

They really begin to connect through their love of music. She can’t afford a piano but is allowed to use the one in the music shop. There we see them begin to play together, the Oscar-winning song “Falling Slowly”. This is where we really start to see a connection and it is all feels very sweet.

This connection isn’t love, it’s just friendship as they are both still wounded and pining for others. He loves a girl in London and she is married. As the film goes on we’re introduced to both of their lives. We see his emotional trauma and what he has and we see her life in a poor block of flats as an immigrant with her mother and daughter. They both have a dream of becoming musicians, but will they risk it all?

The whole film is more character driven than plot driven and both characters feel very authentic. Their guards are up, but their scars are also on display. With a budget of around £100k, the whole thing was shot on hand held cameras with lots of zooming into the characters faces, emphasising their reactions. This whole style feels much more intimate as instead of a film, it feels much more of a home movie.

Somehow, despite being cliched, the music does feel like a really strong connecting force between the unlikeliest of friends. Despite being a musical by definition, the music feels like it fits and doesn’t slow the film. It has a purpose and blends beautifully into the tone of the film.

Summary

Once provides a relaxing and enjoyable watch as you root for two underdogs connected by hope and their love of music. A simple premise, yet an effective one. [Grade: A-]