Once

So I just got back from a screening of the new movie Once starring Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova. What a wonderful little movie. And I don't mean "little" in a pejorative manner. Rather, in many ways I think the word embodies what is so good about the movie -- it doesn't purport to be anything grand, anything capital-I Important. Instead, it tells the very lovely story of two people who, over the course of one week, come together through the magic of music. And what music...

The movie, which is essentially half-music and half-dialogue, centers on the songs that the two characters write and record together over the course of one week. They get to know each other through their music, and in turn their music comes to define their relationship. Thus, the creative process of the characters is front and center, and the movie shows the evolution of both the music and the musicians.

Is Once a perfect movie? No, of course not. There's one major decision that a character makes towards the end that I simply don't understand, and I don't think was explained particularly well. Additionally, there are some very strong parallels in this movie to another recent movie about two people who spend a week together and build a special, difficult relationship. At least this time we can figure out the "secret" dialogue between the characters -- if, of course, you speak Czech. Since I'm stuck with English and a smattering of Spanish, French and Japanese curse words, I'm pretty much out of luck. Guess I'll have to wait for the inevitable Wikipedia page explanation.

If you like Glen and Marketa's music, you have to see this movie. Or if you like small, personal love stories which might not tie everything in a pretty little bow, be sure to check it out. If neither of these applies to you, Hood of Horror comes out this Friday.