Once review

From its humble beginnings as a low-budget Irish film that barely made an impression in its native country, Once has gone on to take the world by storm. Its current US box office tally is approaching $10m and it has been championed by the likes of Steven Spielberg. Not bad for a film that reportedly cost less than £100,000 to make.

Is the hype justified? Undoubtedly. Once has more heart and soul in every single frame than the majority of stuff coming out of Hollywood. It might be rough around the edges but this charming and winning affair is one of the year's moviegoing highlights.

The film has been described as a musical, but it's more accurate to call it a romantic drama with music. It's centred around just two characters, and the intense but shortlived relationship they have on the streets of Dublin. Neither are given names - just Guy and Girl - but the man (Glen Hansard) is a struggling songwriter and vacuum repairman who ekes out a bit of extra cash by busking in the Irish capital.

One day he finds himself with a captive audience in the shape of the Girl (Marketa Irglova), an Eastern European immigrant with a musical background. The two form a bond thanks to their love of music and proceed to compose and record their own songs. The spirit of creativity is beautifuly captured by director John Carney, with soaring songs that are both moving and highly memorable (the soundtrack is now shifting thousands of units).

But the beauty of the film lies in more than just the music alone (written by the two leads themselves). The banter between the two is real and often hilarious, and both actors are natural and a treat to watch. This is no mean feat considering their lack of experience - only Hansard has been on the big screen before, as the wacky guitarist Outspan Foster in Alan Parker's The Commitments.

A euphoric, highly uplifting film, Once is bound to make many Top Ten lists come year's end. It's certainly going to be very near the top of mine.

Paul Hurley