Once

 “Are you really sure that you’d believe me, when others say I lied.”

“Harrison,” you may be asking. “Why are you covering Once? This isn’t a horror movie.” Correct, dear listener, it’s not. However, as I mentioned in my Welcome Post, I may occasionally branch out into other genres as well. These non-horror posts will be posted on the last week of any month with five weeks. 

I first watched Once in high school in my Film Studies class. Because our class periods were 45 minutes long we had to watch the film in short chunks over a three day period, making it a little difficult to connect with the film. However, the music made an immediate impression and I bought the soundtrack as soon as I could and would listen to it on repeat. I decided to revisit the film and the second time (and first watching in one sitting) everything about it clicked. Simply put, this is a perfect film.

Once was written and directed by John Carney (Sing Street) with the majority of the music and lyrics by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová (collectively known as The Swell Season). Once first opened in Ireland on March 23rd, 2007 and received a limited release in the United States on May 23rd, 2007. Once was made on a budget of $150,000, made $61,901 upon opening, and went on to make $20,936,722 worldwide (not too shabby for a small budget indie musical). Once received largely positive reviews from critics, Hansard and Irglová went on to win the Academy Award for Best Original Song for “Falling Slowly”.

The story of Once is simple and intimate. It tells the story of the Guy (Hansard), a down-on-his-luck musician who’s girlfriend recently left him and moved to England. He meets the Girl (Irglová), a single mother with passion for music, and the two inspire each other both musically and personally. 

Despite the simplicity Once works due to a combination of the truly beautiful music threaded throughout the film, and the easy chemistry between Hansard and Irglová (who were beginning their brief romantic relationship while filming). Both stars are superb, but it’s Irglová who really stands out in her performance, musical and otherwise. Carney’s direction leans heavily into the film’s low budget, wisely forgoing splashy musical numbers or dramatic histrionics for a more subdued and introspective approach. 

This approach is best exemplified in the number “If You Want Me”, which follows the Girl walking through the dark streets of Dublin listening to the music the Guy has written on a walkman and singing the lyrics she’s written for him. Carney is content to simply follow Irglová with the camera and let the music, lyrics, and her beautiful voice do all of the heavy lifting. Similarly, Irglová’s number “The Hill” is the film’s high point, punctuated by the simplicity of the direction and Irglová’s quiet breakdown at the end.

Once is a beautiful film about love, but the love story is not the gentle romance between the Guy and the Girl (having them go their separate ways in the end is one of the film’s biggest strengths) but the love they have for the music they create. And what music it is.

Rating: 5 broken Hoover’s out of 5

Other Observations:

• Does the dog die? No animals are harmed!

• Harrison’s Favorite Scare Songs: “The Hill”, “If You Want Me”, and “Falling Slowly”

• While most of the songs were written by Hansard and Irglová, the song “Gold” was written and performed by Fergus O’Farrell and his band Interference. This song was played at my wedding reception during the Mother/Son dance.

• I had the pleasure of seeing The Swell Season perform in Louisville about 10 years ago after they released their second album, Strict Joy. It was a wonderful concert and I highly recommend that album. Unfortunately their careers have taken different paths and they haven’t recorded any music together since but I’d also recommend both of their solo work, particularly Irglová’s debut solo album Anar.

• Once was also adapted into an award winning stage musical that is also excellent.

• Next Week: We return to horror for the movie that coincidentally sits right next to Once on my DVD shelf: The Omen.