By Sara Pintilie/entertainment editor
Once (4.5 stars)
What makes the musical Once so unforgettable is its simplicity. No fancy sets, no A-listers and no big Broadway-like musical numbers clutter up this charming tale of two musicians.
This Irish gem, directed by John Carney, is short and sweet, just shy of 90 minutes, but it shows Hollywood how to make a fantastic romantic musical without rehashing the old classics.
The titular characters, simply credited “Guy” and “Girl,” meet then team up to write and create a demo with a few fellow street musicians over a week.
The musical numbers are subtle. They creep up into the plot and neither distract or disappoint the audience.
It sounds more like a Zach Braff movie than a musical—which isn’t a bad thing.
The chemistry between “Guy” (Glen Hansard) and “Girl” (Marketa Irglova) is spot on, and their duets are even better.
The film has an innocence surrounding it, even with the R-rating, and provides the audience with an uplifting feeling when it’s over.
Once, now on DVD, is one of the best movie musicals ever and a must-have.
