Once – 2006
Posted by Scott on 22 Sep 2008 at 02:35 am | Tagged as: Obscure Films
No one enjoys the success of ‘little movies that could’ more than myself. I find it extremely satisfying when a film with a budget a hundred times less than a Hollywood tent-pole manages to crawl through the high grass and cultivate an audience. I’m not talking about movies like Juno either. As much as I liked Juno it is not an independent movie; one of its Producers was John Malkovich and its Director, Jason Reitman, while young, is not a neophyte when it comes to the movie game. Legit independent films are made “outside” of the system for relatively little cash and star unknown actors. Movies like Once, a quaint romance that snagged a Best Original Song Oscar in 2007.
A struggling Dublin singer/songwriter (Glen Hansard) repairs vacuum cleaners by day while peddling his songs at night for a pittance. His heartfelt melodies draw the attention of a young immigrant woman (Marketa Irglova) who probes him with questions. Once she learns he works at a Hoover shop she solicits his help in fixing her busted cleaner. The following day she brings him her vacuum. The two end up spending the day together and discover they share a love of music. A fast friendship forms as they reveal tales of heartache and use the power of music to help heal one another.
Armed with renewed fervor, he gains the courage to take his talents off the sidewalk and into the studio. Accompanied by her on piano and a collection of fellow street performers, he turns a weekend recording session into a demo disc. With disc in hand, next stop is London to secure a record deal. However, a reluctance to leave is further complicated by his feelings for her and the rare bond they have built. Unwilling to admit their true desires, an unrequited love is manifested through their songs. Will he leave for London to find fame and fortune? Will she allow him to leave without acknowledging their passionate connection?
Writer/Director John Carney filmed Once over a three week period with only two digital camcorders at a budget of roughly $145,000. That’s what I call independent. A simple story about chasing dreams and falling in love, Carney did more with $100,000 than most filmmakers achieve with $100 million. Hansard and Irglova are both professional singers and had never acted prior to this project. Since then the duo has taken the music world by storm performing songs from the film and releasing an album together, “The Swell Season.” By the way, the songs are all fantastic. Once in a while a tiny movie like Once comes along and breaks into the mainstream. If your like me and appreciate when this phenomenon occurs do yourself a service and see Once.
The trailer for Once:
