Once (2006)

Once is an intimate, modern-day musical set on the streets and in the small rooms of Dublin. It follows an unnamed street musician — a guitarist and songwriter who spends his days fixing vacuum cleaners and his nights busking — and a Czech immigrant woman who plays piano, cares for her family, and does odd jobs. When they meet, their shared musical instincts spark a collaboration: they rehearse, write and try to record a demo that might change his life. Watching the film, you’ll experience music that grows naturally out of everyday moments rather than staged production numbers. The songs are raw and heartfelt, recorded in cramped studios and on street corners; the performances feel immediate and lived-in. The camera lingers on small details — hands on strings, the clatter of Dublin streets, quiet conversations — giving the story a warm, documentary-like realism. Emotionally, the film is gentle but powerful. As the two characters work through their pasts, responsibilities and unspoken longings, their musical partnership deepens into a tender, complicated connection. The mood moves between hopeful bursts of creativity and bittersweet melancholy, exploring themes of love, ambition, sacrifice and the ways art can both heal and complicate life. If you watch Once, expect an understated, affecting experience: beautiful acoustic songs, authentic performances, and a quietly moving portrait of two people who find each other through music — and must decide what they’re willing to give up to follow their dreams.

Actors: Glen Hansard, Markéta Irglová, Hugh Walsh

Director: John Carney

Runtime: 86 min

Genres: Drama, Music, Romance

7.2 /10 90 /100 7.8 /10 8.0 /10