Once

Wednesday 26th February 2014

Director: John Carney
Year: 2006
Stars: Glen Hansard, Marketa Irglova

Watching Once is like watching an hour and a half long music video. Which isn't actually as bad as it sounds. Sure, you have to be in the right mood to watch it, and that means not wanting a complex, involved plot. Or much dialogue. But if what you're after is something easy on the brain and pleasant sounding, Once isn't a bad choice.

There is a semblance of a plot here. A guy who busks (Hansard) and an immigrant girl (Irglova) meet, get to know one another and spend lots of time singing songs and playing instruments together. That's pretty much all there is to it.

Once works because it doesn't try to be anything more than it is - it all feels very real, and in many ways quite voyeuristic. The actors sem so normal, and the camerawork is so unintrusive, that you feel as if you're watching people just go about their normal lives. Which might be why I spent quite so much time questioning the girls choice to wear her slippers to the local shop.

Rating: 3 out of 5