Once

I've always been a fan of independent and international films as I believe that much of what we perceive to be 'movies' are dictated by Hollywood, not thats its bad (heck I've been delightfully entertained this summer by Ironman, Prince Caspian, Indiana Jones and looking forward to Hellboy II, The Dark Night and Wall-E) but there is a lack of truly inspirational moments and films lately, either its a rehash of some similar theme or its just a run of the mill film that is good in its own right but there are tons of them out there.

T got two free tickets to watch any film and since most of the blockbusters have already been covered we decided to catch 'once' not really expecting anything but ended up quite piqued and loving it. An ordinary love story of two people connected by music set in Ireland which outshines its humble and down to earth storyline. Its no big budget Hollywood love story, come to think of it, it isn't abash to show the imperfection of everyday life, of the conditions that many people actually strive through daily life such as earning their living day by day, never knowing if tomorrow will bring anything to the dinner table, of love being messy and never straightforward but most importantly it believably to a fault that pulls you into the movie and loving the rough edge characters in the movies from the guitar busking hoover fixing guy to the single parent rose selling and house cleaning lady.

The best of it all, was the music, some might say its a movie built around the music but I feel that it integrates well without being made to be forced. Its not outlandish as Moulin Rouge or Chicago but it has charm to get by. I particularly love the song 'Falling Down'. The lyrics are as such:

I don't know you
but I want you
all the more for that
words fall through me
and always fool me
and I can't react

games that never amount
to more than they're meant
will play themselves out

take this sinking boat
and point it home
we've still got time
raise your hopeful voice
you had the choice
you've made it now

falling slowly
eyes that know me
and I can't go back
wounds that take me
and erase me
and I'm painted black

well you have suffered enough
and warred with yourself
it's time that you've won

take this sinking boat
and point it home
we've still got time
raise your hopeful voice
you had the choice
you've made it now

take this sinking boat
and point it home
we've still got time
raise your hopeful voice
you had the choice
you've made it now

falling slowly
sing your melody
I'll sing it loud
loud

Its ending its run at GSC so anyone want to catch a lovely romantic movie do catch it but it may not be for everyone as the pace is quite slow and if you are expecting a happy ever after ending you're better off watching Made of Honour instead.