Review of Once (2007) by Chadshiira — 15 Jan 2008
"Once" is unique because it uses real popular music; the genuine article, like Gillian Armstrong's "Starstruck"(this 1982 musical from Australia employed new-wave songs), or more recently, Lars Von Trier's "Dancer in the Dark"(featuring the pop stylings of Icelandic siren Bjork); not some Broadway notion of rock such as "Rent", or "Jesus Christ Superstar".
"Once" is truly, a trailblazing film, an alternative to the traditional musical; no camp, no bigger than life characters are allowed. The music is humble. The people are actual size. You actually feel cool watching it.
The songs have a intimate quality to them because they were meant to be played in a coffehouse or bar, not in a concert hall. "Falling Slowly" kills me, absolutely kills me. If you're still in the recovering process of unrequited love, it'll kill you, too.
Rolling Stone's Rob Sheffield wrote an amazing memoir about his late music critic wife called "Love is a Mix Tape" last year about the role music plays in our personal lives. An appropriate title for "Once" would be "Love is a Demo Tape".
Every time the guy(Glen Hansard) listens to that demo, he'll be reunited with the girl(Marketa Irglova). It's a relationship in the abstract. They made beautiful music together. "Once" is the first and last word on romantic disappointment; how you have to take it on the chin and carry on.
It was, by far, the best film of 2006.
This review of Once (2007) was written by Chadshiira on 15 Jan 2008.
Once has generally received very positive reviews.
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