Made in 17 days on a $160,000 budget, it's "Hustle & Flow" for white people! Or "Before Sunrise" the musical! Whatever you want to call it, it's a new take on the musical genre that's sure to be a milestone years from now.
Once is about a guy and a girl (we never learn their names) living in Dublin who meet due to their street jobs (he's a busker and vacuum cleaner repairer man and she sells flowers) and discover a mutual love for music. They also find companionship through heartbreak. The guy decides it would be best to return to his girlfriend in England but before going he wants to follow his dream of recording his songs in a studio. With the aid of the girl and three other street musicians, he works at making it happen.
At first glance, the songs in the movie are you typical breakup songs, reminiscent of "Dashboard Confessional" laments of yore. But the songs take on a life and character of their own, going beyond the lyrics and creating a beautiful, cathartic ambience.
What an inspirational movie for anyone with a dream! It wasn't about making it big as a musician, it was about pure spontaneous ambition and the genius that can come out of it.
This is loosely based on a true story. The stock footage of the guy's ex-girlfriend is real home videos of the director's girlfriend. You really get a sense that the author knows what heartbreak is first hand.
This film for me was an uplifting experience, a satisfying movie night, and a truly unique musical. A must-see!
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