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 | song | street | vacuum cleaner | czech | 

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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] Official site [Japan]

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, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$9,439,923

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bórd Scannán na hÉireann,Irish Film Board,Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

86 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In Glen Hansard's last scene in his previous movie The Commitments (1991) he is seen busking in the streets of Dublin. In the opening scene of Once he is seen busking in the streets of Dublin.

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Goofs

When the Guy is in the Girl's apartment having dinner and the other tenants come in to watch TV, there is a moment when the chair where the Guy is sitting is visible with out him in it. In the next shot of the seat, he is back in the seat eating again.

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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

Referenced in Feast of Love (2007)

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Soundtracks

Lies
Written by Glen Hansard / Markéta Irglová
Performed by Glen Hansard
Publishing courtesy of Toby Darling

User Reviews

Excellent, gorgeous story

I have to say I loved this film. I went to see it with a Japanese friend, and she loved it too.

So the plot wasn't full of 'save the world' ambitions and the good guy wasn't a millionaire playboy, but who cares? It was a gorgeous straightforward film about two people meeting at a certain time in their lives.

I read a quote recently about someone who'd seen the movie and came out wanting to hug everyone they met - and I totally agree. I cycled home humming the tunes and feeling like I haven't felt from a film since seeing 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon'. I know, I know - totally different films - but the zen-like feeling after seeing them both...

From a Dublin dweller, it was fun to watch the geography, as the film makers played with the locations in that certain venues were on the same street - yet it looked like the actors had to walk through town to get to them. It definitely hindered the 'who do I know in the public street' shots moments! But was interesting, as helped make Dublin be a different city to what the residents would be used to.

My recommendation is to just go and see it if you're on for seeing something uncomplicated, feel-good without being too mushy, comedic moments that everyone can relate to and some singer-songwriter music thrown in.