once

I've never jumped on this blog in total desperation, but I just saw the movie "Once" (by myself) and it's too late to call anyone. My heart is bursting. Am I the last person in the free world to see this film. Seriously, am I?

It was so amazing. To say I "watched" it would be an understatement. I was transfixed. I kept thinking, "Is this the movie?" For the first 15 minutes I thought I had accidentally landed on one of the DVD bonus features.

It was such a great experience that I don't even want to watch it again. It's that weird thing where you're too afraid that it won't be the same. 

If you're like me and on a one-year entertainment delay, you can watch a clip here. Oh, what a nice way to spend a solo Saturday night. I'm off to buy the soundtrack.

Comments

[mellyh]

brene,

that move is so magical for me, too (for a few reasons). I remember when it came out and i was working in phoenix. of course it was a small arty movie that didn't show up in the BIG chain type theaters, so i thought my chances of seeing it were pretty slim. so, i had a day off and i am walking down mill drive in tempe, AZ...and what do I see...
a little art house theater and they are playing ONCE! Mind you it was the last day they were showing this before the movie change to something else.

I call it total kismet. the universe wanted me to see this movie and it was indeed as good as i hoped! :)
great music, lovely real quality to the filming, total vulnerability, friendship, love, support...let's just say i heart this flick!

[AVCZ]

Agreed. It's fantastic. We couldn't stop talking about how great it was after we saw it in the theater. Need more movies like that.

[kelly rae]

never seen it, but my mom watches it over and over...she says the magic survives all the watching :)

[Chris]

Did you know that their song won an Oscar last year? Did you also know that those two never met before that movie and they're a real couple in real life now? Did you also know that neither one of them had acted before that, too? It made seeing that movie that much sweeter for me. What a beautiful, beautiful story.

[Renae C]

A solo Saturday night - ah the bliss! No, you are not the only one. I've never seen it, actually never even heard of it. Sounds like that is a problem that needs a solution. I've got an off week from school coming up, I just may have to hunt it down.

I've been a bit buried here lately and haven't posted since Ike. I'm so glad you are all safe and sound. It sounds like it's been both awful and beautiful there at the same time. Some of the stories of community I've heard have been just astounding.

Thanks for sharing your first round of insights, as always they were profound. But here's the shame thing - I've never been through a hurricane - and my child would not make the statement Ellen made - they HAVE heard me talk to them that way before. Not often, but it happens. Just saying - don't beat yourself up - it happens to all of us.

[krista]

.....um, I've never even heard of it. feeling very out of the loop! :)
renting it asap!!

[Deirdre]

I remember having the same reaction after watching "The Princess Bride" all by myself when it came out on video years and years ago...I was bursting with awe and it was too late at night to call anyone. But I wanted to shake friends of mine and say "How could you have known me and not forced me to go see this in the theater??"

At least "Once" is such an intimate film, it is almost better seen all alone. My mother gave it to me on DVD as a Christmas gift, and I love the music even more.

[deb]

It is a truly lovely movie.

[Jen Lee]

This is one of my favorite films, one of my favorite albums of all time. I'm not sure I could breathe most of my way through it. Totally relate!

[Molly]

ditto. I saw it on DVD later than others as well. So moving and emotional. I found myself crying at points even though it wasn't necissarily sad -- just so emotive. I couldn't agree more.

[Laura]

You are so my friend.

[mati rose]

I know! Brene, I watched this recently by myself one Saturday too... so many tears and hard to believe it's so good, subltle and real. Watching that clip in the piano store made me well up again. Thanks for the reminder... oh, you need to watch their academy acceptance (hers especially) that I saw before the movie that moved me.

[erinn]

I just saw it a few weeks ago. :) To say I enjoyed it would a severe understatement, but the story behind it (see Chris's comment above) made it even that much sweeter.

[Joan]

One of my very favorites, too! Glad you happened upon it! joan

[Shalet]

You are so not the only person on the planet who is a year (or two) behind on the movie scene. I've not seen this either ... off to the video store!

[jen lemen]

oh that movie just kills me.
and i'm always on a one year entertainment delay (when it's not two or three years).
:)

[Jen A.]

I have never, ever read a movie review (with subsequent supporting reviews like these comments) that raved so highly about a film.

I have never seen this movie. Okay...I have never even HEARD of this movie!!!

But, you can bet your bottom dollar I'm gonna see it now.

[Carmen]

I haven't seen this yet. Now I have to add it to my list of must see movies!

[marcy]

I too loved this movie and I am lucky enough to be seeing them in concert this week at a small venue in Tucson Az. I can't wait.

[carissa]

i've never seen it... haven't heard of it til now...
i better go get it! :)
thanks!

[Cate]

Putting it on my list, thanks! My twins are 2 now so you'd think movies might start to happen for me again ;-) what is my excuse?!

Great interview with Kelly, btw!

[tina]

oh how i love this movie. just thinking about it makes my heart flutter. i too have been afraid to watch it again as the first viewing was so powerful. i did though have the great pleasure of getting to see glen and marketa in concert a few months ago. it was one of the most intense experiences of my life, to say the least.

[Anne]

It's so funny that you just blogged about this movie. We watched it about 6 months ago, had the same reaction and immediately reserved the CD from the library. Guess what? The CD just came as so many people wanted the soundtrack. I love listening to it...especially the first two songs. Sigh, my turn is almost up and I'll have to give it back. So amazing!

[spread your wings]

wonderful movie - so sweet and real. i went to itunes and bought the soundtrack immediately after watching it.

[katie]

i love that song...forgot there was a movie attached to it!. there is always some movie i've been meaning to watch, from trailors, etc. except i always forget about them. thanks for the reminder.

[Angie]

I love this movie too. My hubby surprised me last week. The couple from the movie were in town for a concert (see Swell season). It was just as amazing and inspirational. I highly recommend seeing them in concert if you get a chance.

[busymomma66]

Brene,

I just fell in love with the movie, and even though it is rated R, I let my kids watch it. They loved it as well. We play the music all the time.

[Beth Hannon Fuller]

I watched Once with a couple glasses of wine and a sketchbook (as I always do)...no drawings were made, I was in awe. If you want to have that experience again watch The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. It enters my mind many a day.

[Beth Hannon Fuller]

oh and Lars and the Real Girl......simply masterful. When watching it though you have to peel back a layer and realize "who" the real girl really is. A beautiful movie about love, loss and new beginnings.

[Margaret]

So is it just me, but does the soundtrack from Once remind anyone of a cross between Cat Stevens and The Gourds?

[paula]

Hi Brene,

Your lovely blog made me laugh,I think there are lots of people who feel actually the same after watching the Once movie. I don't watch much tv,or other movies,it was a slim chance that I actually got to see this myself,a Bob Dylan reference at the beginning of the intro to the film got my attention,they said Bob D had apparently asked Glen to be the support band of his next tour after seeing this movie,wow I thought it must be some thing quite special the rest as they say..... I am playing all the Frames,swell season CDs and every thing seems clearer some how after listening to Glen sing,Im a GH addict,which worries me a bit hee hee..wonderful though and I managed to get from Yorkshire uk to Italia recently to see him live,a generous person with his time too for the fans waiting to greet him,he played in a lovely intimate venue in Rome,St Paul chapel in fact...what a treat :0) Thanks for sharing, Big Love