This past week I had the opportunity to finally see the “little independent” movie everybody raved about in 2007. I was a bit skeptical thinking all the hype was creating something in my anticipation that was setting me up to be disappointed. 
And then I put the DVD into the player and pressed play… The movie was “Once” and I found it to be an absolute delight.
For those who haven’t seen it, it’s the story of a street musician in Dublin, Ireland (Glen Hansard) who meets an immigrant Czech street hawker (Marketa Irglova). They develop a friendship through their mutual passion for music, and write songs together. Now I know you must be thinking they fall in love, have a hit record, and live happily every after, but that’s not what happens here (this is not a Hollywood film), and that’s what makes this movie special.
At first “Once” seemed like it was going to be a full-length music video (the film is a mere 85 minutes), but the charming Hansard and Irglova quickly dispelled that notion with their charm, humor, emotion, and unconventional love story.
The centerpiece of the film is the soundtrack. It is beautifully written and performed by Hansard and Irglova, and “Falling Slowly” earned them a well-deserved Oscar for Best Song. Their performance at this year’s Oscar telecast was a highlight of the show.
I don't know you
But I want you
All the more for that
Words fall through me
And always fool me
And I can't react
And games that never amount
To more than they're meant
Will play themselves out
Take this sinking boat and point it home
We've still got time
Raise your hopeful voice you have a choice
You've made it now
Falling slowly, eyes that know me
And I can't go back
Moods that take me and erase me
And I'm painted black
You have suffered enough
And warred with yourself
It's time that you won
It’s great to see a small independent film like “Once” garner worldwide attention and acclaim. I look forward to whatever Hansard and Irglova do next.
And then I put the DVD into the player and pressed play… The movie was “Once” and I found it to be an absolute delight. 
For those who haven’t seen it, it’s the story of a street musician in Dublin, Ireland (Glen Hansard) who meets an immigrant Czech street hawker (Marketa Irglova). They develop a friendship through their mutual passion for music, and write songs together. Now I know you must be thinking they fall in love, have a hit record, and live happily every after, but that’s not what happens here (this is not a Hollywood film), and that’s what makes this movie special. At first “Once” seemed like it was going to be a full-length music video (the film is a mere 85 minutes), but the charming Hansard and Irglova quickly dispelled that notion with their charm, humor, emotion, and unconventional love story.
The centerpiece of the film is the soundtrack. It is beautifully written and performed by Hansard and Irglova, and “Falling Slowly” earned them a well-deserved Oscar for Best Song. Their performance at this year’s Oscar telecast was a highlight of the show. I don't know you
But I want you
All the more for that
Words fall through me
And always fool me
And I can't react
And games that never amount
To more than they're meant
Will play themselves out
Take this sinking boat and point it home
We've still got time
Raise your hopeful voice you have a choice
You've made it now
Falling slowly, eyes that know me
And I can't go back
Moods that take me and erase me
And I'm painted black
You have suffered enough
And warred with yourself
It's time that you won
It’s great to see a small independent film like “Once” garner worldwide attention and acclaim. I look forward to whatever Hansard and Irglova do next.
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