Wednesday, September 12
Once...
My son Matthew and I have been trying for weeks to get to the movie ‘Once’. We finally made this past Sunday afternoon right after Crossings. (Didn’t even have to leave the building, how cool is that…)Matthew is as passionate about music as just about anyone can be. He’s playing numerous instruments (Just picked him up from hammered dulcimer & accordion lessons yesterday afternoon), and has the most eclectic taste in music for someone his age that I’ve ever seen. (He’s incredibly excited about getting to see Bela Fleck and the Flecktones in concert at the end of the month)
The movie was really good. It’s about an Irish street musician and a Czech immigrant who strike up a friendship based on their mutual love of music.
Here’s what I’m wanting to know…Have anyone of you seen it? If so, what are your thoughts?
It’s one of those movies that people love but never for the same reasons…
For me, the scene that was unbelievably powerful was the scene in the music store near the beginning of the movie…Wow. Whatever was the essence of that scene, however you would describe it, if you could put that element in every film…I’d go broke.
Mark Nelson at 8:47 AM 6comments
6 Comments
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at 12:43 PM
Unknown said... This was actually the last movie that Angela and I have seen in the theater and the first one we had seen I think since maybe Casino Royal. Having a kid and no family in town really cuts down of the number of movies you get to see in the theater unless you want to fork out twice the price of the movie for a baby sitter. Anyway, we both loved this film. I think it was its freshness and creativity that got me. The fact that they could drive the movie mostly on the music with support by the dialog, I thought was a feat in itself. I think my favorite scene was the piano piece done by the female lead between the recording sessions. That song was just powerful to me and the acting I though was especially good in that part. We loved the music so much we left Downtown West and went straight to buy the soundtrack. It also lead to my discovery of the Frames. I recommend it to everyone who appreciates good music and well done independent film.
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at 4:56 PM
Betsy said...
We also left and went straight to the store to buy the soundtrack!
The reason I loved it so much is that it captures the life of a musician better than any movie I have ever seen or anything I've ever read. Being married to a musician and having been close friends with many, I find they are a different breed and see things from a different perspective. I've never been able to learn an instrument and I can only sing to a certain extent, but I have a great appreciation for other people who are gifted in that area. But it's not JUST a gift, it's hard work and dedication mixed with being able to pour out deep emotions in a public way. Once captured that like no other!
That scene in the store was indeed wonderful.-
at 3:03 PM
ragamuffinminister said...
Movies like this really ask us to see things from a unique perspective. Doc Reece would call it the Way of the Poetic or something like that.
Was Jesus that much different than a tortured artist trying to communicate in color what others kept in black and white?-
at 12:45 PM
said... I saw Glen Hansard (The Frames) in Cinci about 3 years ago with Scarpacci. They opened for Damien Rice. I knew then that they'd be doing something even bigger someday.
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at 12:45 PM
said...
I saw Glen Hansard (The Frames) in Cinci about 3 years ago with Scarpacci. They opened for Damien Rice. I knew then that they'd be doing something even bigger someday.
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at 10:19 AM
said...
I saw Once in Dublin when it first came out. Just a really beautiful film! I see Glen around town some. Look for Marketa in more films in more movies though...I heard she's had several acting offers. The soundtrack to the movie is obviously amazing. If it's not available in the US, try for The Swell Season by Glen Handsard and Maketa Irglova. It's got most of the songs and some others. It's different form The Frames, I think. So glad you all are watching the film! Also, there's a really good interview from NPR. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=13874387
I hope that link works. If not, go to npr.or and search for Glen Hansard. It's a great performance.