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Once
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Metascore
88 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 33 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.0 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 245 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
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  • Starring: Glen Hansard, Markéta Irglová
  • Summary: A modern day musical set on the streets of Dublin. Featuring Glen Hansard from the Irish band "The Frames," the film tells the story of a street musician and a Czech immigrant during an eventful week as they write, rehearse and record songs that reveal their unique love story. (Fox Searchlight)

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 33 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 33
  3. Negative: 0 out of 33
  1. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Michael Phillips
    100
    It's a very small piece, working in a deceptively casual storytelling style. But it's my favorite music film since "Stop Making Sense," and it's more emotionally satisfying than any of the Broadway-to-Hollywood adaptations made in the last 20 years.
  2. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Ty Burr
    100
    Once is the first rock musical that actually makes sense. People don't burst into song in this movie because the orchestra's swelling out of nowhere. The guy and the girl are working musicians -- or they'd like to be, if they could make a living at it -- and they're played by working musicians.
  3. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
    100
    Once is the kind of film I've been pestered about ever since I started reviewing again. People couldn't quite describe it, but they said I had to see it. I had to. Well, I did. They were right.

See all 33 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 119 out of 154
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 154
  3. Negative: 26 out of 154
  1. ryancarroll88
    10
    "Once" works so well in the realm of its own simplicity: two people connect over their love of music, and the week that they share together is fulfilling enough to last a lifetime. The music, written and performed by the two leads Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, is pure bliss and the movie is an independent film, so the dialogue and character interactions are allowed to feel genuine.… Expand
    • 3 of 3 users said yes
  2. CharlotteP
    5
    A slight, rather unimpressive story; a sense of puzzlement overcame me every time they sang a song because frankly the songs weren't as great as the viewer was being invited to anticipate.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. RichieR.
    3
    Similar to the disappointment of waking up on Christmas morning, not to the bright red bmx you had been promised, but instead, 6 pairs of striped socks- this movie is banal, self-reverential, sentimental tripe. I have lost two hours of my life and I will be contacting Glen Hansard to arrange getting them back.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes

See all 154 User Reviews

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