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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crunchy m

"Once" is a movie that left me unimpressed. The plot felt so lackluster that it seemed like I could have made something similar while eating chips and playing The Sims. I honestly can't understand how it has the ratings it does. That said, the music was decent and probably the only redeeming quality. It wasn't a movie just music.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

01/26/25

Full Review

Aurora

I love this film. It is sweet and touching, without being cloying or cute. The people feel heartfelt and sincere as do their actions and choices. If it could only have had a different ending (and only if that ending was authentic) See it. You are missing something that is well worth your time.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/31/24

Full Review

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

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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: RTE, Samson Films, Summit Entertainment, 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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