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Once
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
Not age appropriate for kids under 11, age appropriate for kids over 13; suggested age 13. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Sweet, romantic musical hits all the right notes.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 13 and Up
The good stuff
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About Once
Parents need to know that although there's a fair amount of swearing in this endearing indie romance -- particularly "f--k" -- hardly anything else would raise a flag for teens and up. In fact, it's one of the few love stories that doesn't require its leads to get naked or fall in bed together. A thief does try to make off with the musician's street earnings, and there's some bitter talk of past breakups, plenty of beer drinking, and flirtation between a married woman and a single man (even though both know she's still married). But the positive messages about love and emotional connection outweigh any iffiness.
Read our full review by S. Jhoanna Robledo
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about what makes this movie so different from typical Hollywood romances. How does the main couple connect without having sex? Do other movies rely too much on establishing relationships primarily through getting physical? How do most movies define "love"? Is that realistic? Families can also discuss the fact that movies often portray the pursuit of dreams. Do these dreams seem attainable? If not, how do you keep the faith?
Our Members Say
See all 21 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title on for age 5 and give itMy concerns are:
- Inappropriate language
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
- I rate this title off for age 13 and give itMy concerns are:
- Inappropriate language
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Way too much cussing, otherwise great!
I really, really liked this movie. The language was an extreme disappointment, F this, F that. But, really, that's all there was that was objectionable in the movie for me. There's a little drinking and such, but not over the top or anything. There's one guy who's strung out on heroin or something, but you don't see him doing it and they certainly don't make it look glamorous. Overall, the movie I think had a positive message about the sanctity of friendship and marriage. And some great music as well! I'm not even in to the style of music in the movie and I'm planning on buying the soundtrack. I don't think kids should see it with all the cussing (do kids really need to experience that?), but if you're able to get past a million and one F-bombs, this is a pretty solid movie. I suspect my wife and I will buy it.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
A Very Touching Film
This movie is the kind of movie that comes around once in a lifetime. When I was 10 I saw this movie, and even though it's R there is nothing to worry about. There is some use of the F-word, but you would hear that much F-words in 20 minutes in a 4th grade cafeteria. Everyone should see this movie. It's about a man who is a street performer that falls for a flower saleswoman and together they record a week's worth of music. The music is so astonishing and emotional that I almost cried when they played Falling Slowly. It's a romance about life, not sex. All in all, this is now one of my favorite films of all-time.
- I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
An Engaging Musical
If your hung up on foul language you might want to screen this first and decide for yourself if it's appropriate for your kids. I,for own, am not bothered by the f word and don't try to shield my kids from it. I think the good messages and the love and art of creating music displayed by this picture far outweigh a few f bombs.
- I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
Brilliant!
Inventive, smart story--you cannot help but adore the two lead characters...quirky--absolutely loved it--a true breath of fresh air...we bought the soundtrack. If given a lower age rating only concern would be for language. Again--we are baffled why this received an R and a movie like One Missed Call got a PG13...our ratings system is a mess in America.
- I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
a REAL story
a beautiful story that is real and true. this is a good one for teens to watch--the fact that these two remained "just friends" reinforces good choices in world of movies that usually only show extremes. the f**k is so previlant because it is not considered a bad word in Ireland--just remind the kids that every culture is a bit different.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
"R"? You're kidding me, right.
I'm so glad my parents let me see this. Forget the "R" rating. There are probably at least six films I've seen this year that deserve it more. "Once" is a wonderful love story, with great music, particularly "Falling Slowly". Age reccom. 10+ (Don't worry about the "R".
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
- I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it
such a sweet story
a great film with wonderful music and a great message. (just fast forward the first two minutes for language for younger ones and the rest is fine! some really young ones might find it a little boring)
- I rate this title off for age 17 and give it
Not appropriate for under 17!
I can not imagine thinking this movie appropriate for those under 17, based on the language alone. Every other word is f**k. Should we really be telling our 13-year-olds that this kind of language is OK by letting them watch this movie? OK, the movie's content is not offensive, but it is rated R for language, and that recommendation should be followed. I am disappointed in Commonsense for recommending it for age 13.
- I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
I wore out the soundtrack
I rarely spend money on a movie, but I saw this one twice in the theatres, and I bought the soundtrack which transports me back to the sweetness that is Once. The f-word is a constant, but delivered in a lilting Irish accent, it's more of an endearment than an offense. That said, I'm still not sure when it's appropriate for my kids (13 & 15) to see it. And I do want them to see it. A friend described the movie as 'pure' - not so much morally but more in how it's delivered. Great movie!
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
A really beautiful film.
I don't even know where to begin. This movie was extremely touching and so...real. The music is incredible and really heartfelt, and it would be a shame if you haven't seen it yet.
- I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
Don't be deterred by the language!
A wonderful story with many positive attributes. Please, please don't let the ever-present f-bomb keep you from it. Especially for young teens, it's important to see a movie where characters of the opposite sex form a real friendship and value each other AS FRIENDS. The only advice I would give is to watch it with English subtitles (available on the DVD menu) because the accents can be difficult to understand.
- I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
A must see for every one ten yers old and up
This movie was like a breath of fresh air. More than entertainmen with its moving theme and refreshingly convincing characters, it showed how cinema could createsomething akin to a magical experience of "dropping in" to someone else's life and enjoying the time spent there1 The songs written by the characters were so good we can't wait for the release of both a DVD and a CD!
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
great movie!! best musical ever! touchiness overcomes swearing
great movie, really touching, TONS of swearing though, if your my age. really doesn't deserve the R rating. The great emotional content in this movie really overcomes the swearing. Amazing music, but you have to get used to the Irish accent.(which takes about 30 minutes.) great, great is all i can say.
- I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
A Classic--Don't miss it!
This was a lovely experience, and so suitable! Another reviewer said the Ratings Board members should suffer eternal punishment for giving this film an "R" rating. I agree. This film is incredibly suitable, as well as being OUTSTANDING. The ONLY reason it's rated "R" is the use of the F word, usually as an adjective, i.e. "That's F-ing fantastic!" I was worried about taking my 12 yr old to an R movie--no need! I wasn't embarassed, not once--except when I bought the tickets!
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
Beautiful
The most achingly beautiful film I have seen for some time. This is undoubtedly tied for my absolute favorite films of all time, along with American Beauty, Pan's Labyrinth, and some others (I'm a rather indecisive person when it comes to my favorite movie). The just plain simplicity and beauty in the film is amazing, and the songs are hauntingly mesmerizing, especially "Falling Away". With that one song the movie moved me more than any other movie ever has, and watching the two characters put it together quite possibly the highlight of the film. In all seriousness, you MUST see this film.
- I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
wonderful movie
This is a fantastic movie for everyone, and kids should definitely be allowed to see it. Trust me parents, they've heard this language already and it's not going to hurt them if they hear it 10 times in this movie. Once is one of the best movies of the year.
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Ratings at a Glance
| 100% | of parents say there are good role models |
| 100% | of parents say it gives kids positive messages |
| 100% | of parents say it has language their kids can't use |
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