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.

---

Plot Keywords:

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

---

Taglines:

How often do you find the right person?

---

Genres:

Drama | Music | Romance

---

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:

Once

Filming Locations:

Mountjoy Square East, Dublin, Ireland

Box Office

Budget:

$150,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$61,901, 20 May 2007

Gross USA:

$9,439,923

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$20,710,513

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

John Carney was previously a member of The Frames, the band led by Glen Hansard.

---

Goofs

In the first scene, the alley way from which the thief emerges visually jumps around as the camera moves, clearly indicating it was overlaid as an effect in post-production.

---

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.

---

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.

---

Connections

References The Commitments (1991)

---

Soundtracks

Say It To Me Now
Written by Glen Hansard (The Frames)
Performed by Glen Hansard
Published by Perfect Songs Ltd.

User Reviews

The moment all artists live for.

Probably the one thing I would say about this movie that is even remotely negative, is that if you don't like the music, then you are completely out of luck. Otherwise… This movie is about a Guy (no name) and a Girl (same deal) who meet on the street while Guy is busking, a side gig from his day job as a vacuum cleaner repairman. The two form a bond through music, as they jam together in a music store, then ultimately they go through a weekend recording his songs before he goes off to re-unite with his lost love. Trying to explain this movie to someone who hasn't seen it, it just seems like a movie about nothing, 'cause the plot is so spare. But everything felt true--the dialogue, the way the two musicians relate, the way it captured the feeling you get when you see something you've created become real. This movie totally won me over after the recording session, when it is early in the morning, the studio technician and the band go out to do the "car test"--seeing if the songs still sound good on inferior speakers. It is at this point you feel this "seizing of the sword" moment of triumph for Guy--this is what he has worked for, this is what he has created. It is a moment that all artists live for, and this is the reason I will go see it again.