Once

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2:05

Once

R

Released May 16, 2007

1h 26m

Romance

Musical

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

97%

Tomatometer

159 Reviews

91%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

A vacuum repairman (Glen Hansard) moonlights as a street musician and hopes for his big break. One day a Czech immigrant (Marketa Irglova), who earns a living selling flowers, approaches him with the news that she is also an aspiring singer-songwriter. The pair decide to collaborate, and the songs that they compose reflect the story of their blossoming love.

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Critics Consensus

A charming, captivating tale of love and music, Once sets the standard for the modern musical. And with Dublin as its backdrop, Once is fun and fresh.

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Hank Sartin

Time Out

Rated: 5/5

Nov 18, 2011

Full Review

Alison Willmore

Movieline

Rated: 7.5/10

Oct 10, 2011

Full Review

Steven D. Greydanus

Decent Films

At once delicate and gritty, wistful and deeply satisfying.

Rated: A-

Oct 29, 2008

Full Review

Daisy Leigh-Phippard

Screen Queens

In the end, they were both strangers guided by the kindness they showed one another. And I bet youve forgotten what resolution the camera quality is by the end credits.

Feb 21, 2022

Full Review

Robin Holabird

Robin Holabird

Effectively capturing the world of street musicians, writer-director John Carney hit gold in a story of talented artists seeking the big time in little venues. Wistful romance and memorable music proved flexible enough for a move from film to stage...

Aug 11, 2021

Full Review

Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

A simple miracle of a film.

Rated: 4.0/4.0

Sep 18, 2020

Full Review

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Harrison J

Last man on earth sang it better.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

10/21/24

Full Review

Lauren B

This is the worst movie I’ve ever seen and their singing sounds like nails on a chalkboard. They keep singing the same, terrible song over and over again. I couldn’t take it anymore.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

07/26/24

Full Review

Audience Member

Beautiful, poignant, touching film with a great soundtrack! Right up our alley. :)

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/23/24

Full Review

Charles T

We wanted them to stop singing! We only watched the first 15 minutes.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

06/08/24

Full Review

Markus F

Absolutely wonderful and beautiful film. Incredible music, and amazing performances! Take an hour and a half out of your day and you won't regret it. Wish I saw this a long time ago.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/17/24

Full Review

Tom F

A "just okay" Irish musical. Highly forgettable.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/16/24

Full Review

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John Carney

Director

Glen Hansard

Guy

Markéta Irglová

Girl

Hugh Walsh

Timmy Drummer

Gerry Hendrick

Lead Guitarist

Alaistair Foley

Bassist

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Once: Trailer 1

2:05

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Synopsis

A vacuum repairman (Glen Hansard) moonlights as a street musician and hopes for his big break. One day a Czech immigrant (Marketa Irglova), who earns a living selling flowers, approaches him with the news that she is also an aspiring singer-songwriter. The pair decide to collaborate, and the songs that they compose reflect the story of their blossoming love.

Director: John Carney
Producer: Martina Niland
Screenwriter: John Carney
Distributor: Fox
Production Co: Summit Entertainment, Samson Films, RTE, Irish Film Board
Rating: R (Language)
Genre: Romance, Musical, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 16, 2007, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 19, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $9.4M
Runtime: 1h 26m

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