Once (2007)

A modern-day musical about a busker and an immigrant and their eventful week in Dublin, as they write, rehearse and record songs that tell their love story.

Director:

John Carney

Writer:

John Carney

Stars:

Glen Hansard, Markéta Irglová, Hugh Walsh

Won 1 Oscar. Another 22 wins & 30 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Glen Hansard	...	Guy
Markéta Irglová	...	Girl (as Marketa Irglova)
Hugh Walsh	...	Timmy Drummer
Gerard Hendrick	...	Lead Guitarist (as Gerry Hendrick)
Alaistair Foley	...	Bassist
Geoff Minogue	...	Eamon
Bill Hodnett	...	Guy's Dad
Danuse Ktrestova	...	Girl's Mother
Darren Healy	...	Heroin Addict
Mal Whyte	...	Bill
Marcella Plunkett	...	Ex Girlfriend
Niall Cleary	...	Bob
Wiltold Owski	...	Man watching TV
Krzysztos Tlotka	...	Man watching TV
Tomek Glowacki	...	Man watching TV

Storyline

An unnamed guy is a Dublin guitarist/singer/songwriter who makes a living by fixing vacuum cleaners in his Dad's Hoover repair shop by day, and singing and playing for money on the Dublin streets by night. An unnamed girl is a Czech who plays piano when she gets a chance, and does odd jobs by day and takes care of her Mom and her daughter by night. Guy meets girl and they get to know each other as the girl helps the guy put together a demo disc that he can take to London in hope of landing a music contract. During the same several day period, the guy and the girl work through their past loves, and reveal their budding love for one another, through their songs.

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Plot Keywords:

independent film | ireland | payphone | watching television | song | 

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Taglines:

How often do you find the right person?

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Genres:

Drama | Music | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language

Details

Official Sites:

Fox Searchlight [United States]

Country:

Ireland

Language:

English Czech

Release Date:

15 June 2007 (USA)

Also Known As:

Jednom

Filming Locations:

Mountjoy Square East, Dublin, Ireland

Box Office

Budget:

€180,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$61,901, 20 May 2007

Gross USA:

$9,439,923

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bórd Scannán na hÉireann, Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ), Samson Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

86 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Money was saved by shooting with only natural light and at friends' houses.

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Goofs

Walking through the trees (prior to the coastal shots) Girl reveals she is married. Guy asks, "Since when?" She replies,"Two years ago when I became pregnant with Ivanka." This would mean Ivanka would still be a baby (as she is credited) whereas she is clearly a year or so older.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Heroin Addict: Fuckin' deadly you are, man.
Guy: Don't fucking... don't fucking go near that case.
Heroin Addict: What? I'm just tying me laces, man.

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Alternate Versions

Film prints have a few things at the beginning and end missing from the Fox DVD. After the Fox Searchlight logo and before the text-only company credits, the prints have a short silent logo for Summit Entertainment and then one for the Irish film board. At the end of the movie, once the credits crawl finishes, prints also have a short Fox Searchlight text-only card (containing the text "in association with" with no followup), a short card with a gigantic MPAA logo and number, and the blue R-rating screen.

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Connections

Featured in MsMojo: Top 10 Movies Where Love Does Not Conquer All (2017)

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Soundtracks

The Fair City Waltz
Composed by Hugh Drumm / Adam Lynch
Published by RTÉ Music Ltd.
Courtesy of RTÉ Music Ltd.

User Reviews

Sweet...

The chemistry between the lead actors (two people I've never heard of) is what makes this film a treat to watch. Marketa Irglova (whoever she is and wherever she came from) has a screen presence without a doubt. The scene in the music store where she and her street musician acquaintance (Glen Hansard) first make music together is magical and worth the price of admission in and of itself.

This is a sweet, poignant movie that is simple yet somehow captivating to watch. Maybe I'm just a sap for love stories, but the sound track that goes with this one is good enough to help carry the story and make us really care what happens to these people. Marketa and Glen make the music, and we are caught up in their moment.