So happy it's finding an audience! - Once Reviews

I'm a HUGE fan of The Frames (Glen Hansard's band, who plays the male lead in the film) so I was excited when the film had an early screening in Los Angeles. I was hoping it would be good, but I had no idea it would work on every level as well as it does. The story is simple--two young musicians meet in Ireland, inspire each other and create great art and maybe fall in love. It's about how people communicate through music, rather than words. The acting is top notch, but the music is front and center here--Hansard's voice is amazingly expressive and his songwriting is incredible (seriously, in addition to the film's soundtrack, go buy some Frames albums, you won't be disappointed). Irglova is sweet and her chemisty with Hansard anchors the film. It has the look of a French New Wave flick--simple, hand-held camera work melds perfectly with the slice-of-life tone established by director John Carney (Glen's original bassist in the Frames, who left to pursue film in the late 90's). All in all, a complete victory, and I'm thrilled to see it playing for packed houses. Best film of the year so far.