A Captivatingly Beautiful Musical Romance Film
Few movies capture the calm yet painful beauty of human interaction like Once (2007). Carney’s Irish indie film reinvents the classical musical by opting for a more intimate documentary-style of filmmaking, which lets the characters and their music take center stage in the most natural way possible. It beautifully depicts the themes of love, yearning, and artistic devotion making it immensely appealing for those who cherish simple yet powerful depictions blended with subtle storytelling.
While bonding over music, Girl, a pianist, motivates Guy to chase his dream of producing an album. Together, they undertake an intensely personal and creative venture, blending their music that speaks to their struggles, but also showcases a gentle, unsaid love. Instead of tracing a conventional romantic arc, Once looks at the intricacies of timing, situation, and the poignant traces of meaningful, yet deeply ephemeral, relationships.
Music, The soul of the film
The most powerful element of Once is the stunningly real music it has. Unlike other musicals, where songs are always over the top and tend to serve as an escape from reality, here, the songs come naturally from the world the characters live in. The songs for the movie were originally written and performed by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, both of them being professional musicians, thus pouring their true feelings into the work.
The film’s original song, Falling Slowly, is perhaps its most distinguished track, and won an Academy Award. Its appreciation has not dwindled, remaining one of the most beautiful ballads in the history of cinema. Each song in the film embodies sentiment, replacing heartfelt speeches or dramatic encounters with lyrics that are deep and easy to relate to. The soundtracks, especially If You Want Me and When Your Mind’s Made Up, transcend the boundaries of ordinary film soundtracks to become some of the most moving tracks in modern cinema.
Performances and Chemistry
As is the case with most other films, Once marks the debut of an actress in Irglova who, alongside Hansard, had no experience in acting. But their immersion is so complete that the film appears to be documenting life instead of telling a story. Guy, portrayed by Hansard, is a character filled with so much emotion that it seems like he is a passionate artist standing at a fork in the road. Girl, performed by Irglova, blends strength and steadiness and possesses an optimistic view that defies her burdening responsibilities. Their on-screen chemistry is captivating and powerful, and yet subdued, choosing to express emotion in ways that are less dramatic.
The dynamics of their relationship are the most interesting aspects since it lacks clarity. Rather than compel the characters into a traditional romance, the film gives ample space for their relationship to exist somewhere in between love, friendship, and collaboration. This tender tenderness softer around the edges deepens the film’s emotion, which allows the audience to feel the sadness of their connection even more.
Direction & Cinematography
John Carney’s approach at the helm is uniquely simplistic. The handheld camera and natural light provided an intimacy that approached voyeurism, and the film being shot on a low budget only adds to the illusion. This rougher aesthetics make the film much more genuine, with the viewer feeling that Dublin has life and can express the character’s feelings.
Carney gives the music and the performances the spotlight, as opposed to a myriad of powerful editing techniques he could employ. He captures the delicate details of human interaction, like hands skimming the piano keys, longing gazes, or the stillness of a night time street, and allows us to soak in the silence. These details have a soft elegance that allows for feelings to surpass words and be simply there.
Themes & Emotional Impact
The film Once proves the most striking in it’s depiction of feelings left unexpressed. Love, passion, missed chances, and the marks we leave on each other’s lives are beautifully captured in this movie.
The film “Once” is different from traditional romance films because it doesn’t guarantee an ending that is fantastical. Rather, it accepts the idea that sometimes, the deepest connections we nurture in our lives, even if only for a short period of time, mold us in ways that are profoundly surprising prior to their departure. The end scenes evoke emotion that is both empty and deeply wistful at the same time, and as a result, makes sure that the film stays within the minds of the audience for quite a while post viewing.
Conclusion
“At once” is an experience – and not just a film. It is an ode to the power of one’s imagination, the mastery of art as expressed through words, and the tenderness that lies between the spaces of time. By nature, delicate, the film stimulates its viewers to experience each and every minute detail; each note and each expression that was shared.
For followers of independent films, romantic themes, and music-centric stories, Once is a classic. It is a reminder that at times, the most moving tales are narrated in silence, without excess words, solely using melodies paired with a sincere spirit.