---
title: "Once"
year: 2007
kind: "film"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/once"
fi1m_id: "once"
imdb_id: "tt0907657"
tmdb_id: 5723
wikidata_id: "Q137754"
fi1m_score: 88
critics_score: 82
critics_reviews: 12
published: "2026-09-15"
updated: "2026-09-18T08:37:46.847401+00:00"
region: "US"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Once (2007)

Directed by John Carney · 1h 25m · MPA R · Drama, Music, Romance

## Identity

Once

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/once
- **Type:** Film
- **Fi1m ID:** once
- **IMDb ID:** tt0907657
- **TMDB ID:** 5723
- **Wikidata ID:** Q137754
- **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0907657/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/5723, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q137754

**Fi1m score: 88** · Critics 82 from 12 reviews

*In a sentence:* A piano shop does more for a romance than most films manage with a wedding

> John Carney’s *Once* makes its musical romance convincing by giving the songs time and trusting Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová together. We recommend it warmly, despite photography that sometimes makes it harder to concentrate on the people.

## Synopsis

In Dublin, an Irish busker (Glen Hansard) meets a Czech immigrant (Markéta Irglová), and their interest in music gives them a reason to spend time together. A shared performance in a piano shop opens up the possibility of a closer connection. Their friendship carries the prospect of romance, but both find it easier to express themselves in songs than in conversation. Money is scarce, so their musical ambitions come with practical difficulties. John Carney writes and directs this drama about two people getting to know one another by listening to what each can do.

## Review

John Carney’s *Once* is a musical romance we recommend warmly, with a warning that its rough photography occasionally gets in the way. Glen Hansard plays Guy, an Irish busker in Dublin; Markéta Irglová plays Girl, a Czech immigrant drawn into his music. Carney, who also writes the screenplay, gives them something to do together before asking us to care about their attraction. Making music takes time and effort here, and the pair’s limited means help keep a potentially sugary story from becoming too comfortable.

The first performance of ‘Falling Slowly’, in a piano shop, makes the case for the whole film. We were moved more than we expected. The scene allows us to hear why these people might want to stay together: they can make something neither could make quite this way alone. Carney lets the performance run long enough for the pleasure of listening to become part of our interest in them.

Hansard and Irglová supply the music as well as the central performances, which helps the playing feel like ordinary work these people know how to do. Hansard sings with a force that makes frustration audible without another speech to explain it. Irglová’s presence is quieter, and their ease together keeps his intensity from exhausting the film. Some of the songwriting is earnest enough to make us wish for a little less insistence, though the melodies generally earn their place. The rawness of the singing is especially useful when the characters themselves remain guarded.

Tim Fleming’s cinematography is the substantial reservation. The roughness of the images can make it harder to attend to the performers, and we cannot accept every untidy shot as proof of sincerity. Still, the long, intimate shots give the pair time to be interesting without demanding that they perform every feeling for the camera. Tamara Conboy’s production design keeps the Dublin flats and piano shop plausibly ordinary, so the music never seems to require a more flattering room. Those modest surroundings suit a story in which money remains a practical concern.

Editor Paul Mullen understands how much depends on letting a performance last, and the sustained passages of playing are the right choice. Cutting them down to a few useful lines would make the relationship harder to believe. At 85 minutes, the film still feels compact, despite giving music room that a more plot-heavy romance might regard as dispensable. It is pleasing to watch a film about musicians that lets us judge their connection by listening to them work.

Anyone who dislikes musicals is unlikely to be persuaded by assurances that this one is different. The songs are central, and anyone impatient with earnest singing will spend much of the film waiting for people to stop. For us, the modest scale suits a romance whose strongest scenes involve two people trying to make music together. Give it an uninterrupted evening, with the sound at a level that lets the voices matter.

*Fi1m score 88, published 15 September 2026.*

## What the critics say

Most critics respond warmly to Once, with praise centred on how naturally its songs grow out of the characters’ work, friendship and hesitant romance. The leads’ chemistry and musical ability make the performances feel unforced, while the songs express feelings that the pair struggle to put into conversation. The reviews repeatedly value its believable Dublin settings and lack of pretension, finding emotional weight in the small scale rather than asking for more spectacle.

The main disagreement concerns how the film is shot, rather than its music or performances. Time Out praises the long, intimate shots for allowing songs to carry emotion, while Film Comment finds the camerawork poor enough to make the film almost unwatchable, despite acknowledging its heart and good music. That is a marked dissent in an otherwise positive consensus, whose more measured responses still appreciate the low-key storytelling.

## Straight answers

**Is Once worth watching?**

*Once* is worth watching for anyone who can enjoy a romance told largely through songs, and we scored it 88. The piano shop performance of 'Falling Slowly' shows why these two people might want to stay together, and Carney gives the music time to work. Anyone impatient with earnest singing will spend much of its 85 minutes waiting for people to stop.

**How long is Once, and what is it rated?**

*Once* runs 1h 25m and is rated R by the MPA in the US. It is a drama and music film.

**Where can I watch Once in the US?**

*Once* is streaming on Amazon Prime Video in the US, and it is also available to rent from Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV from $3.99. Availability is checked daily; the links above go straight to each service.

**How violent or frightening is Once, and is it suitable for children?**

*Once* is not violent or frightening, and its 15 certificate reflects adult language rather than anything alarming on screen. It is a quiet film about a busker and an immigrant making music in Dublin, with money troubles as the main source of tension. Younger children would find little to frighten them and little to hold them; the certificate is the sensible guide.

**How does Once compare to The Commitments?**

*Once* is the smaller and more intimate of the two, a romance between two musicians, while [*The Commitments*](https://film.one/film/the-commitments) is a broader, funnier comedy about the friction of forming a band. Both let the songs carry the feeling, but *Once* is rougher and more guarded, and the earlier film has more polish than it needs. Choose *Once* for tenderness, *The Commitments* for company.

**What should I watch after Once?**

After *Once*, try [*The Commitments*](https://film.one/film/the-commitments) (1991, Fi1m 82): For more Irish musicians discovering that forming a band also means tolerating people. Then [*Before Sunrise*](https://film.one/film/before-sunrise) (1995, Fi1m 89): Two strangers build a connection through conversation, with room for awkwardness; and [*The Umbrellas of Cherbourg*](https://film.one/film/the-umbrellas-of-cherbourg) (1964, Fi1m 88): A more stylised musical romance, equally serious about the feelings inside songs.

### Reviews we read (16)

- **RogerEbert.com**, Roger Ebert (95/100, inferred): Ebert calls the low-budget Irish film magical from beginning to end and awards it his Special Jury Prize as one of the year's best. He singles out the natural chemistry and performances of the two musician leads as they fall in love through song. [Read](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/once-2007)
- **The AV Club**, Nathan Rabin (A): It is a musical for people who think they hate musicals, with songs integrated organically into a realistic story of two repressed characters whose music expresses their bottled emotions; it is quiet and restrained yet filled with transcendence. [Read](https://www.avclub.com/once-1798202656)
- **Los Angeles Times**, Kenneth Turan (90/100, inferred): Turan praises the small-scale musical romance as enchanting and unpretentious, a thoroughly winning blend of music and story that resists expected turns. He highlights the naturalness of the musician stars and the rich, satisfying songs that drive the narrative. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-may-16-et-once16-story.html)
- **Screen Daily** (90/100, inferred): John Carney's poetic third feature is hailed as the revelation of Sundance, a sublime and beautiful work that is lyrical though substantial. The critic singles out the organic use of music, especially the transcendent first playing of 'Falling Slowly' in a piano store. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/once/4030541.article)
- **The Guardian**, Xan Brooks (85/100, inferred): The critic finds it hard to dislike this low-budget film about a romance and musical collaboration between an Irish busker and a Czech immigrant in Dublin. The review praises its soulful take on music, friendship and hard work, grounded in realistic impoverished circumstances. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2007/oct/19/romance)
- **Radio Times** (4/5): This is described as a delightful low-budget Irish musical drama that puts a smile on your face and packs an emotional wallop. The critic singles out the stars' real musical abilities for making the film a sweet little charmer despite its modest means. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-ywb6db/once/)
- **The Hollywood Reporter** (80/100, inferred): The film is an unheralded small charmer with enormous appeal and zero pretense that deserves a theatrical audience for its likable characters and terrific music. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/once-158984/)
- **Time Out**, Amy Simmons (4/5): The critic calls it a poignant modern-day love story that offers a brooding alternative to traditional musical conventions. They single out the outstanding performances by the non-actor leads and the long intimate shots where songs convey character emotions more effectively than dialogue. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/once)
- **The Times**, James Christopher (70/100, inferred): The review describes a Dublin street-corner romance between a busker and a Czech girl, noting the lopsided frustration of their connection and the venomous delivery of the original songs. It highlights the organic pleasure of the low-key narrative without spoiling the ending. [Read](https://www.thetimes.com/world/ireland-world/article/once-lg5vbkc0n66)
- **Film Comment**, Amy Taubin (50/100, inferred): The critic notes it as the sleeper success of Sundance with good music, lots of heart, and a twisty plot, but finds it almost unwatchable due to poor shooting and camerawork. [Read](https://www.filmcomment.com/article/sundance-2007-take-one/)
- **Empire**, Dan Jolin: The critic calls Once the year's most pleasant cinematic surprise, praising its heart, wit and songwriting genius. The songs are singled out as fantastic, performed raw and authentically by the leads. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/movie-review/)
- **Slant Magazine**, Nick Schager: It grounds its delicate love story in grimy believable indie reality rather than reinventing the musical, with songs naturally emerging from plot and reflecting the characters' emotions; it recognizes beauty in imperfection and exudes the poignancy of an indie-rock ballad. [Read](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/once/)
- **The Independent**: The critic finds Once spellbinding, highlighting its naturalistic acting and true-to-life scenes that make viewers feel like intruders. The chemistry between the leads and the hook-laden songs are singled out for praise. [Read](https://www.independent.co.uk/student/student-life/music-film/film-review-once-795315.html)
- **/Film**, Elaine Mak (9.5/10): The critic praises Once as a subtle, low-budget film that tells a beautiful, realistic love story through music in a natural way, calling it the Irish Lost in Translation with a musical twist. They single out the charming music and the deep, relatable characters with natural chemistry for praise. [Read](https://www.slashfilm.com/496304/movie-review-once/)
- **The Skinny**, Kevin McHugh (★★★★): The critic praises the film's chemistry between the leads and how it weaves music and storytelling into one of the most uplifting movies of 2007, calling it a sentimental Irish twist on the musical. [Read](https://www.theskinny.co.uk/film/new-releases/once)
- **Eye for Film**, The Exile: The critic finds Once a rarity among musicals, focused on music and genuine emotion rather than spectacle or sex, calling it a tiny gem that shows how to do things right. They single out the haunting songs paired with the scruffy realism of Dublin streets and apartments for praise. [Read](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/once-film-review-by-the-exile)

## Details

- **Director:** John Carney
- **Director:** John Carney
- **Screenplay:** John Carney
- **Cinematography:** Tim Fleming
- **Editor:** Paul Mullen
- **Music:** Glen Hansard, Markéta Irglová
- **Production design:** Tamara Conboy
- **Costume design:** Tiziana Corvisieri
- **Producer:** Martina Niland
- **Cast:** Glen Hansard as Guy; Markéta Irglová as Girl; Hugh Walsh as Timmy Drummer; Gerard Hendrick as Lead Guitarist; Alaistair Foley as Bassist; Geoff Minogue as Eamon; Bill Hodnett as Guy's Dad; Danuse Ktrestova as Girl's Mother
- **Runtime:** 1h 25m
- **Certificate (MPA):** R
- **Release (the US):** 15 June 2007
- **Genres:** Drama, Music, Romance
- **Also in:** [Films where the soundtrack is the real star](https://film.one/collections/soundtrack-is-the-star.md)
- **Budget:** $160,000
- **Box office:** $21 million
- **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBYTsu3L6r4

## Where to watch in the US

- Amazon Prime Video: add-on
- Amazon Prime Video: rent $3.99, hd
- Apple TV: rent $3.99, hd
- Amazon Prime Video: buy $4.99, hd
- Apple TV: buy $4.99, hd

*Checked 2026-09-15.*

Also available in: AT, AU, BE, BR, CA, CH, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, IE, IN, IT, JP, KR, NO, NZ, SE, US, ZA. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country.

## If you liked this

- *The Commitments* (1991), Fi1m 82: For more Irish musicians discovering that forming a band also means tolerating people. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-commitments.md)
- *Before Sunrise* (1995), Fi1m 89: Two strangers build a connection through conversation, with room for awkwardness. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/before-sunrise.md)
- *The Umbrellas of Cherbourg* (1964), Fi1m 88: A more stylised musical romance, equally serious about the feelings inside songs. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-umbrellas-of-cherbourg.md)
- *The Lunchbox* (2013), Fi1m 75: A patient romance that gives small exchanges the attention usually reserved for declarations. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-lunchbox.md)
- *Linda Linda Linda* (2005): For the rehearsals, hesitant friendships and pleasure of finally playing together.

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/once