DVD
REVIEW:
ONCE
12/14/07
This Guy can compose and
sing a great song for you and fix your Hoover too! The Guy,
Glen Hansard (lead-singer of The Frames), works in his Dad’s
vacuum cleaner repair shop. Every other waking moment is
spent on his passion: music. Playing his worn out old guitar
with holes, he is a diamond in the rough waiting for his big
break. Although his drive is shaken by an ugly break up from
his love interest, a different girl. The Girl, Marketa
Irglova comes along
and recognizes his talent being a musical talent herself.
She re-awakens his spirit and they inspire each other to
march onward.
Music is truly one of the greatest art forms known to
humanity. Writer/Director John Carney, who has a musical
background as well, wanted to bring this art to the screen
surrounding a modern yet simple love story. Well, he
accomplished what he set out to do . . . a modern-day
musical. Thus, this movie is for music lovers, others need
not apply. This is more like an album sized music
video than a movie. I was hoping for a little bit more
movie. The actors’ performances were as their characters,
director, dialogue, and story line required: simple.
Many times, simple can be more real. Both Glen and
Marketa Irglova did a good job at that, considering their
limited acting experience. They were so well cast, it’s
almost biographical. The characters were endearing and
approachable. I wanted to give them all a hug. I struggled
to understand them from time
to time though. Irish and Eastern European accents at the
same time will keep you on your toes.
The movie looked a bit dull. Except for a couple of nature
shots, it wasn’t very visually stimulating. Some of the many
wide angle shots should have been facial close ups. I wanted
to see more face of the appealing main characters. After
all, that is where life exists. Now as far as sound . . .
wow! The music in this movie is as powerful as in Moulin
Rouge and Chicago. The movie is nothing without it. This is
probably why I left
thinking about getting the soundtrack . . . the movie DVD,
not so much.
Movie
Review By Cine Marcos
cinemarcos@smartcine.com
The DVD doesn't offer to much aside from
the free download of the song "Falling Slowly" and
the "Musical Commentary" which is the best feature. We
were expecting at least a couple of music videos in this
DVD.
VIDEO:
Widescreen
AUDIO:
English
LT/RT and Spanish Stereo sound
Subtitles - English, Spanish
French
BONUS FEATURES:
Musical Commentary with Director John
Carney and Actor/Musician Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová
The cast and director talk how the song got incorporated to
the film. The commentary goes over every single song in the
movie. Probably the best feature of the DVD (36:30)
Film Commentary with Director John
Carney and Actors/Musicians Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová
Free Music Download of “Falling Slowly”
from the Motion Picture Soundtrack Once
Making a Modern Day Musical The
cast and director talks about how the movie came to
live(12:43)
More Guy, More Girl Featurette
The director and cast talk about the story in the film(9:39)
Webisodes - Broken Hearted
Hoover Fixer Sucker Guy (0:56)
Forced Trailers Charlie
Bartlett, Savages. Amazing Grace
RATING BREAK DOWN:
| FILM REVIEW |
 |
|
VIDEO |
 |
|
AUDIO |
|
| BONUS
FEATURES |
 |
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