Ever see a movie that you just can't get out of your head? The kind of film that shouldn't come to an end because there is so much more story left? The rare film that has such an exquisite soundtrack that you find yourself refusing to listen to any other music for fear of losing the incredible song as it fades from your memory throughout the day?
Sigh.
It was a toss-up between some crappy (I'm almost sure of this) movie starring Sarah Jessica Parker as a woman screaming about having to reveal her boobies during a film shoot or this other movie with a boring title starring two people I'd never heard of before, one of whom was Irish and not-so-heavily accented, but accented enough to make me strain my ears. I decided I'd rather strain my ears than gouge out my eyes with a rusty fork after SJP actually took off her top.
Suddenly, a heavenly light shone from above onto my television (I know it wasn't sunlight, it's been overcast and rainy all day) and the angels started to sing.
No, no. It wasn't the angels. It was Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova and they were on my TV in this incredible movie called Once.(see the trailer)
You might have already seen this film. In fact, the song Falling Slowly won the Academy Award. Now I know I'm about fourteen miles behind every else in terms of this marathon called a social life, but this is exciting to me. I fell in love with a movie that didn't feature Ellen DeGeneres as the voice of my favorite cartoon character ever - well, second favorite behind Flapjack. I have a child and no money for a babysitter, so I have to rely on Disney/Pixar films as my summer blockbuster provider. The last time I saw a "grown-up" movie that left me so emotional was Dancer in the Dark starring Bjork. That was at least 7-8 years ago. And before that? Life is Beautiful starring Roberto Benigni. I've seen a few really bad movies in between, but mostly I stay away from the theaters. For myself and my daughter to see a matinee and have a snack is well over $20. Even when I bring my own drinks.
Anyway, back to the point. You will fall in love with this movie, with the music, with the idea of love. I'm hardly a romantic (mushiness makes me extremely uncomfortable), but this film touches on the subject just enough to keep you interested in their interest for each other, in their determination to craft the perfect song, and in the character's lives as they awkwardly struggle to support each other without completely relying on each other.
I will never look at sunken boat the same way again.
2 comments:
Thanks for the heads up, I am always looking for a good flick to check out. I Loved that kids movie, too (W/ Ellen in it) Loved the part where she would speak whale, lol. As far as the theatre is concerned -- I KNOW!- I pack my drinks AND my own candy. Don't even get me started on what happened when I took my kid to see the Hannah Montana movie. $15.00 a ticket. WTF!
I had a couple problems with this movie: (1) the romance was forced. Hansard was WAY premature when he asked Irglova to spend the night. Instead of developing naturally, it kind of forced the idea on us that there was supposed to be an attraction between them, but really it was just awkward. (2) the music is cool, but by the end of the movie, I was tired of hearing the same tunes over and over again. They kept repeating about 3 of the songs throughout the movie, but I think they ought to have taken a hint from the movie's title and left it at that.
But I'm a fan of Hansard and Irglova's band, The Swell Season. Saw their concert last year, and it was a very enjoyable evening. I also enjoy listening to the album. They are good song writers and fantastic musicians. They deserved the Oscar.
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