When I think of a musical, I think spectacle. I think random song and dance. I think melodrama. What would a musical be without all of those things? Once. Once is an absolute masterpiece and works on every level, but most of all as a musical.
I recommend to everybody who loves music to see this film featuring Glen Hansard of The Frames. My biggest complaint of The Frames has always been that the music is slightly too “pop-melodrama”. Well that works just fine for a musical about love. The music flows in and out through the film flawlessly, and really creates half of the emotional substance of the film. The other half is the simple, lovely story. But I can’t imagine this story told without the music, nor would I enjoy the music without the story.
The performances of the two leads are powerful, believable, and subtle. This is no Chicago or Dreamgirls. No. This film is much more. I cannot heap more praise on this special little film that will surely leave an imprint on anyone who has a heart.
originally posted on mostelitemusicblog.blogspot.com/