Once: A Movie Review

ONCE. This is an Indie film about a brokenhearted musician guy who meets a beautiful pianist girl on a random day in Dublin. This is about the discovery of a musical connection between the two, so soulful and poignant, so unpretentiously complementing. This is about the music they make, on their own and together. This is a film of raw and sweet simplicity, made unique by its subtle but moving songs and guitar-strumming. This is a modern-day musical, critics say. It absolutely is, but I reckon it is one that has more soul than others. It is a film about the human connection, one made more intimate with the quiet intensity of music.

Here’s the movie trailer:

And this is the part where you stop reading if you haven’t seen the film. I might give away spoilers so turn away now and grab a DVD of the film! Get a soundtrack of it too while you’re at it! The spoilers begin after the jump.

* 10 Things That Might Be Spoilers *

1. “Falling Slowly” is an Academy Award nominee for “Best Song.” W0000000t! This is one of the most intimate songs I’ve ever heard. I can’t even classify it as romantic even though it IS a love song. It’s just so… intimate. The whole movie is! And that is why I love it so.

2. I read somewhere that there’s a deluxe soundtrack — meaning it has two extra songs. I want this! I shall be on the lookout for this in music stores.

3. Did you like how it ended? I LOVED how it ended. Yes, yes. It was exactly how it was supposed to end. Not predictable, but not too far out to be unreal.

4. “If You Want Me” (the song where the girl walks around in pajamas and slippers) is one of the sexiest and sweetest songs ever.

5. Thank you very much to Spanx for blogging about this film last month. His raves got me curious and when I chanced upon the film, I knew I had to see it. And I absolutely loved it indeed.

6. This is definitely a shivers-up-my-arm scene. Can also be called a grab-my-heart-and-twist-it-love-it-take-it scene.

7. Here are the lyrics to Falling Slowly, written and performed by Glen Hansard. Got the lyrics here.

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

Take this sinking boat and point it home
We’ve still got time
Raise your hopeful voice you had a choice
You’ve made it now

Take this sinking boat and point it home
We’ve still got time
Raise your hopeful voice you had a choice
You’ve made it now
Falling slowly sing your melody
I’ll sing along

8. The two lead actors became a couple after filming. You can heave as loud a romantic sigh as you want to.

9. I loved Before Sunrise, and I loved Once. While there is a similarity in concept (strangers meet and connect oh-so-strongly), I really hope they don’t prepare a sequel to Once. One Once is enough for me. The magic is enough — it might go away if they make a follow-up film. The case with Before Sunrise is different though, because of their “unresolved agreement.”

10. Here’s that “If You Want Me” pajamas scene. Absolutely love it. And here are the lyrics to go with it, written by Marketa Irglova and Glen Hansard. Definitely a brilliant duo!

Are you really here or am I dreaming
I can’t tell dreams from truth
for it’s been so long since I have seen you
I can hardly remember your face anymore

When I get really lonely
and the distance causes our silence
I think of you smiling
with pride in your eyes a lover that sighs

If you want me satisfy me, if you want me satisfy me
If you want me satisfy me, if you want me satisfy me

Are you really sure that you’d believe me
when others say I lie
I wonder if you could ever despise me
when you know I really try
to be a better one to satisfy you
For your everything to me
and I’ll do what you ask me
if you’ll let me be, free

If you want me satisfy me, if you want me satisfy me
If you want me satisfy me, if you want me satisfy me
If you want me satisfy me, if you want me satisfy me

This movie is definitely worth seeing more than just once!

Hi! I'm Toni Tiu, and I've been blogging at at Wifely Steps since 2003. This started as a blog to help newly weds adjust to married life. It has evolved into a home and parenting blog. I write about things close to my heart -- good eats, good reads, family, marriage, and the little things that make everyday happy.