is an Irish musical that follows the story of an middle-age Dublin busker struggling with the trials of street performing with his guitar. OnceLured by his talented, an unnamed young immigrant flower seller talks to him about pursuing his music. She encourages him to record his songs and move to London to make it big. It develops into a beautiful love story, that tugs at the heart strings and ends with the audience in tears.
By subject matter alone, the tone of this film is rivetingly somber, and the music follows suit. The soundtrack demonstrates extraordinarily minimal instrumentals and packs an exceptional amount of emotion. Primarily using only guitars and voices, the actors use soaring harmonies and captivating lyrics to separate the listener form reality and let them experience the heartbreak first hand. Once
The first track “Falling Slowly” won the Academy award for best original song at the 80th academy awards. This song is the obvious stand out track on the record, and was powerfully written. It begins with a haunting, finger picked guitar that slowly builds as new elements are introduced. The entire song only features 3 instruments guitar, violin, and piano giving it a small but sophisticated feel. The verses exhibit gorgeous harmonies that flow effortlessly into the highly recognizable chorus.
“Take this sinking boat and point it home
We've still got time
Raise your hopeful voice you have a choice
You'll make it now
Falling slowly, eyes that know me
And I can't go back
Moods that take me and erase me
And I'm painted black
You have suffered enough
And warred with yourself
It's time that you won”
The soundtrack was nominated for two 2008 Grammy Awards, under Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture and won for "Falling Slowly", Best Song Written for Motion Picture, Television of Other Visual Media. It won Los Angles Film Critic Association Award for Best Music and it was ranked at number two on the 25 New Classic Soundtrack Albums list. It is a wonderful journey through the agony of heartbreak, and for me this album resonated on personal level. the soundtrack received high accolades for good reason, and if you haven’t seen the movie I would highly recommend it.OnceEntertainment WeeklyOnce
