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Parents' Guide to

Once

By S. Jhoanna Robledo, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Sweet, romantic musical hits all the right notes.

Movie R 2007 85 minutes
Once Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 13+

Based on 5 parent reviews

Katherine K.
Katherine K. Adult
October 30, 2016
age 18+

Wrong supportive message

Wewent to alive performance and I thought the opening scene was quirky and fun! An interesting concept that musicians were using their own musical instruments. What "bothered" me was the relationship that was embraced as acceptable. Had "her" husband or "his" girlfriend participated I would be writing a different review. At one scene he suggests she come up to his apartment later and she certainly accepted with an inference she would! Our lives are complex with marital commitment set aside in many instances. He had a very supportive steady relationship who accepted what he chose without question and showed loyalty! America where are our values? Is it ok to "flirt" with infidelity? Is it ok as long as we restrain from following through? I enjoyed the performance but wish the messsge was more supportive of traditional and committed marriage! My husband couldn't hold back his tears-what do you think this suggested? I accept it but wonder how my life might be different if it had been another time in American history. Infidelity is everywhere-it affects most of us- why pay to see its affects in person. I now have a new sadness to deal with and I paid to see it in person. Sad-I'd rather spend my hard earned money in more positive ways!

This title has:

Too much swearing
3 people found this helpful.
notwatchingthat
notwatchingthat Parent of 9, 13 and 15-year-old
October 2, 2013
age 2+

Single Man and Married Women..Not Okay.

I'm not only shocked, but extremely disappointed that Common Sense Media would give this movie a four star rating. I'm equally disgusted by the age appropriate suggestion! "...the positive message about love and emotional connection...", are you kidding me? The women is married; does that not matter to anyone out there? The entire movie is about a single man advancing toward a married women, and a married women advancing toward a single man-and everyone is cool with this? And you(Common Sense Media) describe it as: 'sweet' and 'romantic' and as 'hitting all the right notes'? Appropriate for a thirteen year old? What?! A storyline like this one isn't appropriate for an adult let alone OUR CHILDREN. Common Sense??, I'm not seeing it. I think it's time you change your name.
2 people found this helpful.
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What's the Story?

Glen Hansard, frontman for beloved Irish indie-rock band The Frames, stars as an unnamed musician who sings on the streets of Dublin in ONCE. During the day, he plays Van Morrison songs, but at night, he sings his own compositions -- sad, affecting tunes -- with a passion that has no relationship to audience size. One day he meets a young woman (Marketa Irglova) who turns out to be an accomplished, impoverished Czech immigrant who plays the piano beautifully but sells flowers and cleans houses to make ends meet. They're soul mates, and theirs is a story of the transformative power of love and music.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (5 ):
Kids say (10 ):

John Carney's musical is one of those gems that so rarely graces the big screen these days: a truly good movie. That Carney, who once was a member of The Frames himself, could fashion such a moving, romantic film without resorting to the ho-hum boy-meets-girl, boy-loses-girl formula is a testament to his talent as both a writer and a director. Deftly and lightly, he lets emotions build up quietly for maximum impact. The relationship between the two leads develops as if in real life: unhurriedly but with great force.

Once's songs aid the storytelling -- but, unlike most musicals, they pour out naturally, as you'd expect when two accomplished musicians unite. In "Falling Slowly," a haunting melody, the pair sings in harmony: "I don't know you/But I want you/All the more for that." In fact, the movie itself plays like a great song; you could listen to it over and over and rediscover something new each time.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about what makes Once 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?

  • How do the characters in Once demonstrate communication? Why is this an important character strength?

Movie Details

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Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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