Don't Miss This Movie
Rarely do I come across a movie that I would classify as a "do not miss," because opinions of movies are so subjective. That said, most people who are reading this blog are likely live music fans, so I'm comfortable telling you to go get the movie "Once." Now. Hurry. And make sure your good speakers are hooked up and ready to go.
When someone first told me that I have to see this movie, I thought, "yeah, ok, will do," and put it at the bottom of my Blockbuster queue. Then my mom told me to see it so we could talk about it, and it got bumped to the top....because, you know, mom knows best.
It sat on my dresser for about two weeks before I finally got Steven to bed early enough to watch an entire movie without interruption, which is really the only way to watch a movie like this (although it is only about 85 minutes long). At first I thought it was strange, and I wasn't sure I would get into it...but that didn't last. It has a lot of music in it, but it's not what I would call a musical. The story revolves around a street musician/vacuum cleaner repairman in Dublin who has musical aspirations he doesn't have enough gumption to pursue...until he meets a unique Czech girl, also a musician, who shoves her way into his life and gives him the push he needs.
The cast is made up of real musicians, not actors, and the integration of the songs into the story is seamless. And the songs are amazing. The ending is not conventional or overly sappy. The camera work feels a bit like a home movie...like this might have really happened, and maybe it happened as we were watching. The result is very affecting.
I brought it to work to put it in the mail, but I can't seem to part with it. Usually, I can't get movies back fast enough so they'll send me the next one on my list. But I keep playing it over and over...even as background noise. I ordered the soundtrack, though, so maybe I'll be able to part with the DVD when it arrives. If not, I know what DVD purchase I'll be making soon...
