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Once (film)
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Wikipedia article
'Once' is a 2007 Irish
romantic musical drama film written and directed by John Carney. The film stars Glen Hansard and Markta Irglov as two struggling musicians in Dublin, Ireland. Hansard and Irglov had previously performed music as the Swell Season, and composed and performed the film's original songs.
'Once' spent years in development with the Irish Film Board and was made for a budget of 112,000. It was a commercial success, earning substantial per-screen box office averages in the United States, and received acclaim from critics. It received awards including the 2007 Independent Spirit Award for Best Foreign Film. Hansard and Irglov's song "Falling Slowly" won the 2008 Academy Award for Best Original Song, and the soundtrack received a Grammy Award nomination.
Plot
A thirty-something busker (Guy) performs with his guitar on Grafton Street, Dublin and chases a man who steals his money. Lured by his music, a young Czech flower seller (Girl) talks to him about his songs. Delighted to learn that he repairs hoovers, Girl asks Guy to fix hers. The next day Girl returns with her broken vacuum and tells him she is also a musician.
At a music store where Girl usually plays piano, Guy teaches her one of his songs ("Falling Slowly"); they sing and play together. He invites her to his father's shop, and on the bus home musically answers Girl's question about what his songs are about: a long-time girlfriend who cheated on him, then left ("Broken Hearted Hoover Fixer Sucker Guy").
At the shop, Guy introduces Girl to his father and takes her to his room, but when he asks her to stay the night, she gets upset and leaves. The next day, they reconcile and spend the week writing, rehearsing and recording songs. Girl writes the lyrics for one of Guy's songs ("If You Want Me"), singing to herself while walking down the street; at a party, people perform impromptu (including "Gold").
Guy works on "Lies", a song about his ex-girlfriend, who moved to London. Girl encourages him to win her back. Invited to her home, he discovers she has a toddler and lives with her mother. Guy decides to move to London, but he wants to record a demo of his songs to take with him and asks Girl to record it with him. They secure a bank loan and reserve time at a recording studio.
Guy learns Girl has a husband in the Czech Republic. When he asks if she still loves her husband, Girl answers in Czech, "'Miluji tebe'" ("I love you"), but coyly declines to translate. After recruiting a band with other buskers, they go into the studio to record. They impress Eamon, the jaded studio engineer, with their first song ("When Your Mind's Made Up"). On a break in the early morning, Girl finds a piano in an empty studio and plays Guy one of her own compositions ("The Hill").
After the all-night session wraps up, they walk home. Before they part ways, Girl reveals that she spoke to her husband and he is coming to live with her in Dublin. Guy persuades her to spend his last night in Dublin with him, but she stands him up and he cannot find her to say goodbye before his flight. He plays the demo for his father, who gives him money to help him get settled in London. Before leaving for the airport, Guy buys Girl a piano and makes arrangements for its delivery, then calls his ex-girlfriend, who is happy about his imminent arrival. Girl reunites with her husband in Dublin and plays the piano in their home.
Cast
* Glen Hansard as Guy
* Markta Irglov as Girl
* Hugh Walsh as Timmy Drummer
* Gerard Hendrick as Lead Guitarist
* Alaistair Foley as Bassist
* Geoff Minogue as Eamon
* Bill Hodnett as Guy's Dad
* Danuse Ktrestova as Girl's Mother
* Darren Healy as Heroin Addict
* Mal Whyte as Bill
* Marcella Plunkett as Ex-girlfriend
* Niall Cleary as Bob
* Wiltold Owski as Man watching TV
* Krzysztos Tlotka as Man watching TV
* Tomek Glowacki as Man watching TV
* Keith Byrne as Guy in Piano Shop
Production
.
The two leads, Hansard and Irglov, are professional musicians.Scott, A. O. [http://movies2.nytimes.com/2007/05/16/movies/16once.html "Movie Review: 'Once'"], 'The New York Times', 16 May 2007. Accessed 21 April 2008. Director Carney, former bassist for Hansard's band The Frames, had asked a long-time friend to share busker anecdotes and compose songs for the film, but originally intended the male lead to be played by actor Cillian Murphy,[http://www.chud.com/index.php?type=interviews&id=10230 CHUD.com cast and director interview] from 14 May 2007 who was an almost-signed rock musician before turning to acting.O'Hagan, Sean. [http://observer.guardian.co.uk/review/story/0,,1794559,00.html "'I just want to challenge myself with each role'"], 'The Observer', 11 June 2006. Accessed 8 August 2006. Murphy was also going to be one of the film's producers, but reportedly did not like the prospect of acting opposite non-actor Irglov, who was then 17 years old. Murphy also believed he did not have the vocal capabilities to belt out Hansard's octave-leaping songs, so he pulled out, as did the film's other producers, also withdrawing their financial support.[http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/qas/story.html?id=a66f6258-08e0-48a2-91a1-cf551b9b72f8&k=65530 'The Gazette'] from 14 April 2007 Carney then turned to songwriter Hansard, who had done only one acting job before, a supporting role as guitarist Outspan Foster in the 1991 ensemble film 'The Commitments', the story of a Dublin soul music cover band. Initially, Hansard was reluctant, fearing that he wouldn't be able to pull it off, but after stipulating that he had to be fully involved in the filmmaking process and that it be low-budget and intimate, he agreed.
Produced on a shoestring, about 75 percent of the budget was funded by Bord Scannn na hireann (The Irish Film Board), with Carney committing some of own money. The director gave his salary to the two stars, and promised a share of the proceeds to everyone if the film was a success. Filmed with a skeleton crew on a 17-day shoot, the filmmakers saved money by using natural light and shooting at friends' houses.Weisman, Jon. [https://www.variety.com/article/VR1117968768.html?categoryid=13&cs=1 "'Once' Upon a Time"], 'Variety', 18 July 2007. Accessed 11 August 2007. The musical party scene was filmed in Hansard's own flat, with his personal friends playing the partygoers/musicians. His mother, Catherine Hansard, is briefly featured singing solo. The Dublin street scenes were recorded without permits, and with a long lens so that many passersby didn't realize that a film was being made. The long lens also helped the non-professional actors relax and forget about the camera, and some of the dialogue was improvised.
During the shoot, Carney had predicted a romance, calling Hansard and Irglov his "Bogart and Bacall." Hansard and Irglov did become a couple in real life, getting together while on a promotional tour across North America, and living together in Dublin, in Hansard's flat.du Lac, J. Freedom. [https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/15/AR2008021500811.html "Making a Name for Themselves: 'Once's' Guy and Girl, In Tune On- and Off-Screen, Shed Their Anonymity"], 'The Washington Post', 17 February 2008. Accessed 21 April 2008. 'Entertainment Weekly' reported:
Subsequently, Hansard indicated that they were no longer a romantic couple."Of course, we fell into each other's arms, he said. "It was a very necessary part of our friendship but I think we both concluded that that wasn't what we really wanted to do. So we're not together now. We are just really good friends."
Yet Hansard and Irglov were quite happy with the unrequited ending for their onscreen characters. In an interview, Hansard stated, "had the U.S. distributor changed the end and made us kiss, I wouldn't be interested in coming and promoting it at all." Hansard said ad-libbing produced the moment where Irglova's character tells the Guy in un-subtitled Czech, "No, I love you," but when it was shot, he didn't know what she'd said, just like his character.[http://www.eonline.com/coolstuff/detail/index.jsp?uuid=e7edb8fe-d14e-4efb-b07d-26d34657f325 'E! Online', 24 August 2007: 'Once Is Not Enough: Summer's Secret Smash Interview with Glen Hansard'] Accessed 14 January 2008.
Both Hansard and Irglova gave the impression in interviews that they are unlikely to pursue further acting. Irglova has spoken about being nervous in front of a crew: "I don't think I would be a good actress, overall," she said.[http://www.stv.tv/content/out/film/videointerviews/display.html?id=opencms:/out/films/video_interviews/stv_movies_once_interview Once video interview with 'stv.tv'] Hansard generally refers to the movie as a one-off, talking of "moving on... living a different life."
As a result of the film, Hansard and Irglov have been releasing music and touring together as The Swell Season.
Glen Hansard and Markta Irglov reprised their roles in 'The Simpsons' episode "In the Name of the Grandfather."
Reception
Box office
A rough cut of the film was previewed on 15 July 2006 at the Galway Film Fleadh, but the film was subsequently turned down by several prestigious European film festivals.Dawtrey, Adam. [https://www.variety.com/article/VR1117970464.html?categoryId=1246&cs=1 "'Once' director remains close to roots: Carney to make 'Zonad' before Fox's 'House'"], 'Variety', 17 August 2007. Accessed 1 March 2008. However, once finished, it secured spots at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival on 20 January 2007 and the Dublin Film Festival in February 2007, and received the audience awards at both events.[https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/street-sweethearts-1.1293821 The Irish Times film review, 23 March 2007: "Street sweethearts"] Re-linked 2013-05-07.The film was first released on cinema in Ireland on 23 March 2007, followed by a limited release in the United States on 16 May 2007. After its second weekend in release in the United States and Canada, the film topped the 23 May 2007 indieWIRE box office chart with nearly $31,000 average per location.[https://www.indiewire.com/buzz/070520.html#008424 indieWIRE box office chart] from 23 May 2007. As of 28 March 2009, 'Once' has grossed nearly $9.5 million in North America and over $20 million worldwide.
Accolades
After 2007's box office success and critical acclaim, the film won the Independent Spirit Award for Best Foreign Film.Kilday, Gregg. [https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/film/news/e3ic1abd1883d21563748ae0290180dc26a "Indie Spirits: 'Juno' wins best feature"], 'The Hollywood Reporter,' 24 February 2007. Accessed 1 March 2008.Willmore, Alison. [http://www.ifc.com/film/film-news/2008/02/the-winners-of-the-2008-spirit.php "The Winners of the 2007 Spirit Awards"] , IFC.com, 23 February 2008. Accessed 1 March 2008. Steven Spielberg was quoted as saying, "a little movie called 'Once' gave me enough inspiration to last the rest of the year." When informed of Spielberg's comments, director John Carney told Sky News, "in the end of the day, he's just a guy with a beard." At the time of that interview, Carney himself was also wearing a beard.Breznican, Anthony. [https://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2007-08-06-once_N.htm?csp=34 "'Once' isn't enough: Film gets marketing push"], 'USA Today', 7 August 2007. Accessed 9 August 2007.The song "Falling Slowly" won the 2007 Academy Award for Best Original Song.[http://www.oscars.com/oscarnight/winners/?pn=detail&nominee=Falling%20Slowly%20-%20Once%20-%20Music%20Song%20Nominee "Winner: Music (Song)"], Oscars.com. Accessed 28 February 2007. The nomination's eligibility for the Oscar was initially questioned,Hickey, Shane. [http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/music/oscar-song-gets-once-over-as-its-eligibility-is-questioned-1275621.html "Oscar song gets 'Once' over as its eligibility is questioned"], 'Irish Independent', 28 January 2008. Accessed 28 January 2008. as versions of the song had been recorded on 'The Cost' and 'The Swell Season' albums and it was also included in the movie 'Beauty in Trouble' (all released in 2006); those issues were resolved before the voting for the award took place. The AMPAS music committee members satisfied themselves that the song had indeed been written for the film and determined that, in the course of the film's protracted production, the composers had "played the song in some venues that were deemed inconsequential enough to not change the songs eligibility."Carr, David. [http://carpetbagger.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/01/29/once-again-a-legit-nominee/ "'Once' Again, a Legit Nominee"], The Carpetbagger blog at 'The New York Times', 29 January 2008. Accessed 29 January 2008.
Critical response
'Once' received widespread acclaim from critics. Upon its March 2007 release in Ireland, RT's Caroline Hennessy gave the film 4 out of 5 stars and termed it "an unexpected treasure". About the acting, this Irish reviewer commented, "'Once' has wonderfully natural performances from the two leads. Although musicians first and actors second, they acquit themselves well in both areas. Irglov, a largely unknown quantity alongside the well-known and either loved or loathed Hansard, is luminous."Hennessy, Caroline. [http://www.rte.ie/arts/2007/0322/once.html "Once"]. RT.ie, 22 March 2007. Accessed 1 March 2008. Michael Dwyer of 'The Irish Times' gave the film the same rating, calling it "irresistibly appealing" and noting that "Carney makes the point without ever labouring it that his protagonists are living in a changing city where the economic boom has passed them by. His keen eye for authentic locations is ... evident".
'Once' won very high marks from U.S. critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 97% approval rating based on 159 reviews, with an average score of 8.30/10. The website's critical consensus states, "A charming, captivating tale of love and music, 'Once' sets the standard for the modern musical. And with Dublin as its backdrop, 'Once' is fun and fresh." On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 88 out of 100 based on reviews from 33 critics, indicating "universal acclaim". In May, on 'Ebert & Roeper', both Richard Roeper and guest critic Michael Phillips of the 'Chicago Tribune' gave enthusiastic reviews. Phillips called it, "the most charming thing I've seen all year", "the 'Brief Encounter' for the 21st century", his favorite music film since 1984's 'Stop Making Sense' and said, "It may well be the best music film of our generation". Roeper referred to the film's recording studio scene as "more inspirational and uplifting than almost any number of 'Dreamgirls' or 'Chicago' or any of those multi-zillion dollar musical showstopping films. In its own way, it will blow you away."[http://bventertainment.go.com/tv/buenavista/ebertandroeper 'Ebert & Roeper' review] from the weekend of 18 May 2007 Ebert gave the film four stars out of four, saying that he was "not at all surprised" that Philips had named it the best film of the year.
In late 2007, Amy Simmons of 'Time Out London' wrote, "Carneys highly charged, urban mise-en-scne with its blinking street lamps, vacant shops and dishevelled bed-sits provides ample poetic backdrop for the films lengthy tracking shots, epitomised in a sequence where the Girl walks to the corner shop in pyjamas and slippers while listening to one of the Guys songs on her personal stereo. With outstanding performances from Hansard and newcomer Irglov, Carney has created a sublime, visual album of unassuming and self-assured eloquence."Simmons, Amy. [https://www.timeout.com/film/reviews/84293/once.html "Once"], 'Time Out London', 1723 October 2007. Accessed 1 March 2008. 'The Telegraph's Sukhdev Sandhu said, "Not since 'Before Sunset' has a romantic film managed to be as touching, funny or as hard to forget as 'Once'. Like 'Before Sunset', it never outstays its welcome, climaxing on a note of rare charm and unexpectedness."[https://web.archive.org/web/20071019231110/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2007/10/19/bfrendition1.xml "Film reviews: 'Rendition' and 'Once'"], 'The Telegraph', 19 October 2007. Accessed 1 March 2008.
The film appeared on many North American critics' top ten lists of the best films of 2007:
* 1st Michael Phillips, 'The Chicago Tribune'
* 1st Nathan Rabin, 'The A.V. Club'[https://www.metacritic.com/film/awards/2007/toptens.shtml Metacritic: 2007 Film Critic Top Ten Lists] , Metacritic. Accessed 5 January 2008.
* 2nd David Germain, Associated PressGermain, David and Lemire, Christy. [http://www.columbiatribune.com/2007/Dec/20071227Go!013.asp "'No Country for Old Men' earns nod from AP critics"] , Associated Press via 'Columbia Daily Tribune', 27 December 2007. Accessed 31 December 2007.
* 2nd Kevin Crust, 'Los Angeles Times'
* 2nd Kyle Smith, 'New York Post'
* 2nd Shawn Levy, 'The Oregonian'
* 2nd Roger Moore, 'The Orlando Sentinel'
* 2nd Robert Butler, 'Kansas City Star'
* 2nd 'Paste Magazine'
* 3rd Christy Lemire, Associated Press
* 3rd Tasha Robinson, 'The A.V. Club'
* 3rd Andrew Gray, 'Tribune Chronicle'
* 3rd Sean Means, 'Salt Lake Tribune'
* 4th Keith Phipps, 'The A.V. Club'
* 4th Christopher Kelly, 'Star Telegram'
* 5th Ann Hornaday, 'The Washington Post'
* 5th Desson Thomson, 'The Washington Post'
* 5th Noel Murray, 'The A.V. Club'
* 6th Ella Taylor, 'LA Weekly'
* 6th Nick Digilio, 'WGN-AM'
* 7th Claudia Puig, 'USA Today'
* 7th Dana Stevens, 'Slate'
* 7th Scott Tobias, 'The A.V. Club'
* 7th Scott Mantz, 'Access Hollywood'
* 7th Craig Outhier, 'Orange County Register'
* 8th Liam Lacey and Rick Groen, 'The Globe and Mail'
* 8th Owen Gleiberman, 'Entertainment Weekly'
* 8th Stephanie Zacharek, 'Salon'
* 9th Joe Morgenstern, 'The Wall Street Journal'
* 9th Michael Rechtshaffen, 'The Hollywood Reporter'
* 9th Richard Roeper, 'At the Movies with Ebert & Roeper'
* 9th Kenneth Turan, 'Los Angeles Times'
* 9th Carina Chocano, 'Los Angeles Times'
* 9th James Verniere, 'Boston Herald'
* 10th Bob Mondello, 'NPR'[http://www.moviecitynews.com/awards/2008/top_ten/critics_19.html "The 2007 Top Tens: The Critics"] , MovieCityNews.com. Accessed 1 May 2008.
* 10th Peter Vonder Haar, 'Film Threat'
In 2008, the film placed third on 'Entertainment Weekly'
DVD and Blu-ray
'Once' was released on DVD in the US on 18 December 2007,[https://www.amazon.com/Once-Glen-Hansard/dp/B000X1Z0BU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1367936631&sr=8-1&keywords=Once Amazon US: 'Once (2007)'] Linked 2013-05-07 and in the UK on 25 February 2008,[https://www.amazon.co.uk/Once-DVD-Glen-Hansard/dp/B000ZK9SQM/ref=sr_1_1?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1367936262&sr=1-1&keywords=Once Amazon UK: 'Once (DVD)'] Linked 2013-05-07 followed by a British Blu-ray release on 16 February 2009.[https://www.amazon.co.uk/Once-Blu-ray-Glen-Hansard/dp/B001Q94TQA/ref=sr_1_2?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1367936262&sr=1-2&keywords=Once Amazon UK: 'Once (Blu-ray)'] Linked 2013-05-07 Once was released on Blu-ray in the US as an Amazon-exclusive on April 1, 2014.[https://www.amazon.com/Once-Amazon-Exclusive-Blu-ray/dp/B00I6OVHHM/ Amazon US: 'Once (Blu-ray)'] Linked 2014-04-06
Soundtrack
The soundtrack album was released on 22 May 2007 in the United States and four days later in Ireland.
A collector's edition of the soundtrack was released on 4 December 2007 in the U.S. with additional songs and a bonus DVD featuring live performances and interviews about the film. The additional songs were two previously unreleased Van Morrison covers: Hansard's "And the Healing Has Begun," and Hansard and Irglov's "Into the Mystic."[http://www.irishmusiccentral.com/theframes/discography_albums.html The Frames' discography at Irish Music Central]
Different versions of several of the soundtrack's songs previously were released on The Frames' album 'The Cost' and on Hansard and Irglov's 'The Swell Season,' both released in 2006. An early version of the final track, "Say It to Me Now," originally appeared on The Frames' 1995 album 'Fitzcarraldo.' "All the Way Down" first appeared on the self-titled album from musician collective The Cake Sale, with Gemma Hayes providing vocals. The song "Gold" was written by Irish singer-songwriter Fergus O'Farrell and performed by Interference.[ AllMusicGuide.com]
Track listing
Accolades
The soundtrack was nominated for two 2008 Grammy Awards, under Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media and, for "Falling Slowly," Best Song Written for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media.[https://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=awardcentral&jump=article&articleid=VR1117977173 "50th annual Grammy Awards nominations (part II)"], 'Variety', 6 December 2007. Accessed 10 December 2007. It won the Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Music,[https://www.variety.com/VR1117977399.html L.A. critics call for 'Blood'], 'Variety', 9 December 2007. and it was ranked at number two on the 'Entertainment Weekly' 25 New Classic Soundtrack Albums list (19832008).[https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20207076_20207387_20207423,00.html "25 New Classic Soundtrack Albums"] 'Entertainment Weekly', 17 June 2008. Accessed 12 August 2008.Charts success
The soundtrack album reached #20 on the Irish Albums Chart in its first week, peaking at #15 a few weeks later. Following the Oscar win, the album reached the top of the chart, while "Falling Slowly" reached a new peak of #2.[http://www.irma.ie/aucharts.asp "Top 50 Singles"/"Top 100 Individual Artist Albums"] , Irish Recorded Music Association. Accessed 8 March 2007.In the United States, it ranked as the #10 soundtrack on 1 June.[http://today.reuters.com/news/NewsChartIssueArticles.aspx?type=billboardCharts&storyID=2007-06-01T130022Z_01_N01232177_RTRIDST_0_CHART-BILLBOARD-ALBUMS-SOUNDTRACKS.XML 'Billboard'] from the 9 June 2007 issue As of 11 July 2007, the album has sold 54,753 copies in the U.S. The album reached #27 on the 'Billboard' 200, according to Allmusic. It also reached #2 on the Soundtracks Chart and #4 on the Independent Chart.
Certifications
Stage adaptation
The film has been adapted for the stage as the musical ('Once'). It first opened at the New York Theatre Workshop on 6 December 2011. The screenplay was adapted by Enda Walsh and the production directed by John Tiffany.
In February 2012, the musical transferred to Broadway's Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre. It began in previews on 28 February 2012 and opened on 18 March 2012. Directed by John Tiffany, the cast features Steve Kazee as Guy and Cristin Milioti as Girl with sets and costumes by Bob Crowley. The music is from the film with two additional songs, and the cast is also the orchestra. The musical opened up to generally positive reviews. Since its opening, 'Once' has been named Best Musical by The Outer Critics' Circle, Drama League, The New York Drama Critics' Circle, and The Tony Awards.
The Broadway production of 'Once' was nominated for a total of 11 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Actor in a Musical (Steve Kazee), Best Actress in a Musical (Cristin Milioti), Best Featured Actress in a Musical (Elizabeth A. Davis) and Best Direction of a Musical. On 10 June 2012, it won eight Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Direction of a Musical, Best Book of a Musical and Best Actor in a Musical.
See also
* Busking
* Once (musical)
* Cinema of Ireland
* Musical films
References
Buy Once (film) now from Amazon
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