Once (2007)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.