Joanna Sinnwell
Program Manager

Everyone remembers their first movie. Mine? Paint Your Wagon. A silly western, a sea of eager faces, and real(!) buttered popcorn. And remember your first time at the drive in? Jammies and all? But I have to say that my first film at Sundance was something equally special.

Once is absolutely enchanting; more sweet than sad. The relationship between musician-actors Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova is expressed beautifully through their music and the music, well… that in itself is enough reason to see the film. If you loved The Commitments, see this. It’s better in some ways, because you get a much deeper sense of the characters and their lives. But like the music in The Commitments, the tunes come home with you in Once, too. Hansard and Irglova have collaborated before, and they have a very sweet rapport.

When they came on stage after the film at Sundance, I was delighted by their humor and humility. I’m the type who chokes up when actors come on stage after a play and they bow to applause: After all of those hours of rehearsals, this is their payback. We don’t get that after a film in the metroplex. We are moved or bored and pick up our coats and walk out, chatting about the movie and performances but rarely considering the hours that went into making it.

Here, it’s magic; it just happens. Director John Carney and the actor-musicians were here on the Sundance stage at the Prospector Theater after the credits rolled, ready to share their experience, with hands stuffed deep in pockets, and slightly embarrassed but clearly proud of what they’ve done. Carney answered random questions and shared behind-the-scenes and technical information in a friendly, hilarious, self-effacing way. Hansard and Irglova also sang two songs from the film, laughing and re-starting until they got it right. Completely captivating. I’ll be back next year.

{Editor's Note: Since this review was written, HP’s Backstage at Sundance filmed an exclusive duet with Glen Hansard and Marketa Iglova. You can see it here. More importantly, the film "Once" was recognized with The World Cinema Audience Award: Dramatic at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival.]