Movie Notes: 'Once' (2006) is Enough
I have yet to see a sincere. beautiful and melancholic love story as the movie Once by John Carney.
Once is the story of a street musician identified as the Guy (Glen Hansard) performing in the streets of Dublin, Ireland. The Girl (Marketa Irglova) notices him as he plays and falls in love with his music. They form a special bond with their love of music and their past heartaches. Guy is left by his girlfriend who moves to London while Girl is left with their daughter by her husband who is in the Czech Republic. They collaborate to write songs together and Girl helps her record a demo music for Guy who decided to try his music career in London.
I've known one of the songs from this movie titled "Falling Slowly" long before back in college but only managed to see the movie recently. This movie is sincere which I felt when I first saw it a few months ago. It doesn't shove the romance into your face but rather it makes you experience it and it grows into your skin as the movie progresses. It is like watching real life with the long reaction times of some characters in some of the scenes and the non-intrusive use of music as part of the storytelling compared to other musical films.
The emotions one can feel from the movie can be credited more to its song and the stories they tell. Being real musicians themselves, Glen and Marketa portrayed their characters and songs with the emotions that transcends to the audience. Emotions are experienced like they are supposed to be - from memories and stories.
The ending was sad but without tears. Guy leaves the Girl with a piano as a parting gift before he leaves for London, while the Girl reunites with her husband. It's sad to think about that they did not end up with each other but it carries a consoling message. Sometimes you meet people whom you share a deep connection and love but eventually drift apart from. With them gone you move on with lessons as gifts that have changed you to be better. Sometimes the greatest love we can ever have do not necessarily last long or even start at all, but their power stays with you for a very long time.
Once is a kind of movie that you would remember not only for its story but the feelings they carry - like a memory.
I've known one of the songs from this movie titled "Falling Slowly" long before back in college but only managed to see the movie recently. This movie is sincere which I felt when I first saw it a few months ago. It doesn't shove the romance into your face but rather it makes you experience it and it grows into your skin as the movie progresses. It is like watching real life with the long reaction times of some characters in some of the scenes and the non-intrusive use of music as part of the storytelling compared to other musical films.
The emotions one can feel from the movie can be credited more to its song and the stories they tell. Being real musicians themselves, Glen and Marketa portrayed their characters and songs with the emotions that transcends to the audience. Emotions are experienced like they are supposed to be - from memories and stories.
The ending was sad but without tears. Guy leaves the Girl with a piano as a parting gift before he leaves for London, while the Girl reunites with her husband. It's sad to think about that they did not end up with each other but it carries a consoling message. Sometimes you meet people whom you share a deep connection and love but eventually drift apart from. With them gone you move on with lessons as gifts that have changed you to be better. Sometimes the greatest love we can ever have do not necessarily last long or even start at all, but their power stays with you for a very long time.
Once is a kind of movie that you would remember not only for its story but the feelings they carry - like a memory.
4/5 - AMAZING MOVIE!
You can download the movie Once on iTunes - Once (2006)
Photo: Mubi
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