What Connects Us All
“Hope, at the end of the day, is what connects us all.”
So said Marketa Irglova at this year’s Academy Awards after she and co-writer Glen Hansard won the Oscar® for Best Song. As of the award show I had seen the movie Once, uh, twice. Jamie has a knack for falling asleep during movies, no matter how much she likes ‘em. She’ll be wide awake one minute, and all of a sudden all those motherhood responsibilities from the day–homeschooling and cooking and teaching piano lessons to the neighborhood kids–sneak up on her and knock her out cold. (Have I mentioned that I think my wife is a remarkable person?)
So there I was on the couch, finishing up Once while my wife slept with her head in my lap. At the end of the movie I was left with such a bittersweet sense of satisfaction that I’m pretty sure my sniffles woke Jamie up. The next day I re-watched the movie and made her stay awake this time, and she was equally moved. (I don’t think I’ve ever before watched the same movie twice in 24 hours.)
So this little independent Irish film made my list of favorites, and I don’t think it’s just because it’s about a songwriter. I got the feeling that the movie has the potential to touch the hearts of all kinds of people, because of the very thing Irglova said at the Oscars®: “Hope, at the end of the day, is what connects us all.”
You’ll have to keep in mind that in Ireland, the F word is about as common as “the” in the U.S. of A. If that’s a hurdle for you, pass on this one. But there’s something really special about this film. It’s hard to say exactly what it is. Maybe it’s the really good songs, or the independent spirit of the filmmakers, or the extremely likable lead actors (in real life and in the film), or the thematic elements of the story itself. Either way, something good came together, and it was a thrill to see that the Academy recognized it.
I love to see the underdog win, so I almost came out of my chair when Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova won the award. The only downside was that they cut off Marketa before she could say her thanks. But wait! After the commercial break, John Stewart, in a classy move, invited her back out to enjoy her moment and offer her thanks. What she had to say was good, and I had the feeling that it was a fine moment for struggling independent singer/songwriters everywhere.
Here’s the chorus:
Take this sinking boat and point it home
We’ve still got time
Raise your hopeful voice, you have a choice
You’ve made it now
Here’s the video, with scenes from the film, and below it is a link to the acceptance speech. Glen and Marketa may live in Ireland, but watching this makes me as proud of them as if they were a part of our Nashville community.
Click here to watch the acceptance speech.
So I was having a bad day. I woke up, for no apparent reason, at 5:30 in the morning, and my brain was already two hours ahead of my body. It was the kind of day that usually lands me in front of the mirror with a mental baseball bat. But on this day, I did not have the wisdom to walk away in defense. Instead, I moved in closer for a beat down. My arms would not reach up to fight, but remained stubbornly, helplessly at my sides. My face, totally unprotected from the oncoming head blow, narrowly dodged clear at the very last second, and I closed my eyes in relief. A minute or two passed and I gained strength enough to push away from the glass and head for the safety of my computer. I put my head down and got to work, hoping to shake off the shadows, but an hour later I found myself crying through the proofread because I hated every single letter on the screen.
Here is a small excerpt from John Piper’s excellent book Don’t Waste Your Life (which you can read here for free, or buy here for a pittance) wherein he expresses thankfulness for Clive Staples Lewis and details some of the ways he has cleared a path for us all. I’ll only add that I vigorously concur, and that JP is among the very few men who rank with CSL for impact in my own life. -sam
Heaven knows why it has taken me so long to write a little something about this album, the newest EP from friend and soul sister, Julie Lee. Julie and I met several years ago at a friend’s house and found immediate ease in conversation and a unique connection; sparks of light and magic hung lightly in the air around our collision. It was one of those instances where you know for sure that the God of the Universe meant for you to meet this one particular human being out of the millions that He created. I know that sounds a little dramatic, but I like drama (the good kind only, please) and am grateful when I find it happening in my little life.
Browsing the shelves of wicked-cool used bookstore here in Nashville, McKay Books, I happened upon Kathleen Norris’s (The Cloister Walk, Dakota, Amazing Grace) latest, Acedia & Me. Though I had no idea she had a new book out, the cheap sticker price for a primo first edition (Note: you will recall from a previous post that I have a more than slight affinity for used bookstores and, especially, first editions) was an easy decision. The title itself was mildly intriguing since I was vaguely familiar with the word, “acedia”, but of which I knew very little. The subtitle, “A Marriage, Monks, and A Writer’s Life”, though hardly an enticing, round-em-up, gather-em-in slogan, is true to Ms. Norris’ midwestern style, neither flamboyant nor melodramatic.
I’ve been hearing about this children’s Bible called The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones for a year or so now, first from Ben Shive, then from a smattering of others whose opinions I respect on such matters. One night last week Jamie and I were putting our sweet Skye to bed (she’s 6 now), and we were talking to her about Christmas. I’d been gearing up to leave for tour and with the first Sunday of Advent fast approaching we wanted to find out what she thought. Jamie asked her who was born on Christmas morning, and Skye answered, “Um…Noah?”
Russ Bremeier at Christianity Today:
Is there a qualitative difference between learning a song from your Grandfather and downloading a song from iTunes, from getting a recipe online and pulling out the yellowing paper of an old, family recipe? Ken Myers answers in the affirmative, channeling C.S. Lewis when he discusses the need for thoughtful Christians to consider not only content in what we appreciate in art, but also how we receive it.
The other night my wife and I had the opportunity to see Charlie Peacock in concert. The Art*Music*Justice tour, featuring Sarah Groves, Derek Webb, Sandra McCracken, Brandon Heath and Charlie, had an off day in Kansas City. So Charlie set up a house show with just him and his piano in the upstairs art gallery of the world’s most perfect Christian bookstore, Signs of Life, in downtown Lawrence, Kansas. (No kidding. Not a Scripture mint to be found, but huge sections on art, history, classics and local writers. There’s one wall devoted to the puritans, and another to Walker Percy, Flannery O’Connor and the like. Dangerous.)
Mystery. Intrigue. Drugs, dark secrets, the decay of the will, and the transforming power of God’s love sown by a single man to a harvest of redemption.
My favorite book I’ve read this year was initially only a curiosity piece I perused while killing time in a Barnes & Noble. I had recently bought Unchristian – a book that offers an insightful look at how outsiders of the faith view the church – by David Kinnaman & Gabe Lyons, but decided I needed a mental break and started looking for something a little lighter. I’m not inclined to reach for humor books, but the cover of a book featuring a man dressed in Old Testament garb and looking earnestly heavenward with the ten commandments in one hand and a Starbucks cup in the other proved irresistible. I picked it up, thumbed through the pages and found myself laughing out loud in the aisle at Barnes & Noble – another uncharacteristic behavior for me.
The Yellow Leaves: A Miscellany, the new book from my favorite author, Frederick Buechner, was released on June 16th. I added it to my Amazon shopping cart when I first heard about it from the Proprietor and Eric Peters, after they heard Buechner read a couple excerpts during the grand opening of the Frederick Buechner Institute back in January (which also featured a concert by Michael Card, with AP opening for him).
Walt Wangerin, Jr. strikes again.
The musical bumper sticker on my car during the ol’ college years would have definitely read “I’d Rather Be Listening To Acoustic Music.” Therein was my initial foray into the early careers of Square Peg artists like our own Proprietor. I found great enjoyment in the Texan college worship scene (early Crowder, Robbie Seay, Justin Barnard, anyone?). And the great unknown (acoustic) rock over which I stumbled came in the form of Jill Phillips.
Janner Igiby lives in Glipwood, a nothing little village in the land of Skree, on the edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness. Manhood is on the horizon, but Janner finds it hard to feel much hope for the future. Skree is ruled by foreign oppressors, snake men called the Fangs of Dang, servants of a shadowy emperor named Gnag the Nameless. The Skreeans are weak and weaponless. They’re even tool-less. Any Skreean who needs to use a hoe has to borrow one from the Fangs (and fill out the requisite paperwork). And from time to time, the Black Carriage arrives in Glipwood to carry young Skreeans toward an unknown fate across the Dark Sea.
I am not a fan of Civil War literature; in fact, I have always thought of it as one of those weird sub-genres for obsessive types. They’re almost like Trekkies with their re-enactments and maniacal devotion to detail. It’s just not my thing (although I’m secretly jealous that they get to dress up and shoot cannons).
A Randall Goodgame song is like a great independent movie. Characters deliver lines like they were lifted from a break room, a truck stop, or a downtown diner. Seemingly incongruent scenes are juxtaposed and plot isn’t obvious; in fact, narrative–a good story–is often more evident than linear plot lines. An indie movie, like a Randall Goodgame song, seems to tell itself. Rather than being rudely yanked by a chain through a sequence of contrived events, with a Randall Goodgame song, I have the sense that I’m being allowed a willing, but vicarious sneak peak into the real lives of his real characters.
Andy Gullahorn is funny, but he’s also one of the more serious lyricists I’ve come to enjoy in a while. Listening to Reinventing the Wheel, you come to understand that he is more than a good songwriter. He is a craftsman. He knows what he’s doing, where he’s going, and where he’s taking his hearers.But as I said, people say Andy Gullahorn is funny. They say that, I think, because he makes them laugh. But as for me, I’m calling it nervous laughter.
It *is* a wonderful, likable movie, and that moment at the Oscars was amazing. The soundtrack from the movie is near the top of my most-played list on the iPod.
AWESOME! i have goosebumps at 8am! we actually DID come out of our chairs when they won the oscar! the movie touched me so much that i felt like they were my friends up on stage, nervously but excellently singing their song in front of millions, and then accepting our praise of their story and music. chris and i are all but obsessed with the soundtrack!
Given her talents, I challenge anyone in the US to find a young woman as pure, sincere and humble as Marketa Irglova. She is a candle in the vast cultural darkness. May she be blessed to have her light grow.
SPOILER* AVERT THINE EYES IF YOU HAVEN’T SEEN THE MOVIE.
My new sis-in-law speaks Czech. Marketa’s character’s uninterpreted cliffside confession: “No, but I love you.”
She told me that that is what she said after I had seen the movie twice. I guess I should have known, but it still effected how I thought about the story. Feel free to remove this post if you feel like it would ruin the movie for those who haven’t seen it, but I thought that was cool.
That was the about the only awards ceremony I’ve seen where I actually cared who won.
Lawrence,
While I realize that was a rhetorical challenge I’m going to go ahead and be the geek who takes you literally by nominating Karen Peris.
http://www.theinnocencemission.com/home.htm
I caught this video lat one night on Vh1’s insomniac show and it literally stopped me dead in my tracks. I was in the process of getting in my bed after playing a show one weekend and I literally froze in mid air when I heard them hit that falcetto harmony on “tiiimmmmeee” and it wouldn’t let me go until the song was over. It was a great moment and I’m extremely happy to have unexpectedly found out where it came from. Even more happy to find out that said source is a highly recommended independent Irish film. This has been a good day.
I just received this film from Netflix and I can’t wait - I’ve heard nothing but amazing things. The song is just lovely.
I second Karen Peris.
Brilliant movie, even more brilliant song. I love the ending…so right, so un-Hollywood, but the music of this film was brilliant. And classy move by Stewart to invite her back out. I love that Glen Hansard described the song as “You are at a party with your girlfriend, and she leaves to go get a drink, so you are standing there. Across the room your eyes stops on this girl who is just beautiful; she is the woman of your dreams, you can tell you were just meant for each other. She starts walking across the room towards you and then you realize, “That is my girlfriend.” So this song describes that feeling”… that is great
I looked this stuff up the day after the Oscars to watch it again. I also loved what Glen said, with his Irish accent, at the end of his speech: “Make art. Make art. Make art!”
This movie was hyped to me alot, which usually means I won’t like it. But in spite of all that, I loved this movie too. Perhaps because there is no hype whatsoever in the movie. It’s kind of a like a quiet meditations (with a lot of “f” words
Once had me with the opening scene of Glen playing alone on a street corner. When he dug into that guitar and sang his “barbaric yawp” (to quote the Dead Poet’s Society) I was in for wherever else they wanted to take me.
I thought the movie had a very beautiful morality to it, too. I’ll try to not give too much away, but I loved the ending, especially the scene where you see the husband and he appears to be relatively loving and tender. The voice of the girlfriend in London, too, is sweet. Difficult to demonize either of them. There is a delightful lack of stereotypical caricatures in the movie, all the characters have complexities and vacillating motives that make them believable. I guess what I mean is that I didn’t feel manipulated by the end of the movie.
And for musicians! This movie documents some of the delightful details of what we do - like them have to give the record a road test with the crappy car speakers. That’s so how it is…
Great music, charming actors, a real human story. I loved it. Thought about it for days afterwards.
I, too, loved this movie (and watched it again before I sent it back to Netflix). It gets into your heart and stays there. There’s a lot of good moments, but I especially like the scene where she goes out to buy batteries in her pajamas and fuzzy slippers, then is walking back listening to the music and singing along, completely absorbed in the music. Wonderful.
Linda, I’m with you. That was a great scene. Some really rich long camera shots in this movie. Reading this reminds me that I want to buy the CD.
I as well loved this movie (rented it off itunes … for those with a need for instant gratification). It was delightful to see them win at the Oscars. How wonderful for a movie that is the antithesis of big Hollywood to win one of it’s most prestigious awards.
I know we usually all like to agree agee agree. I have written on some posts and have agreed a lot. I am a huge AP fan and that is actually why I am even in the Rabbit Room and why I am even writing now. If it were someone else I probably would just keep scrolling, but I don’t think I should. I will start with something we all will agree on- The song “Falling Slowly” is amazing, simple and beautiful. I love it!
Now to something else…I did not watch the movie, but as I read AP’s post I was surprised about the so called language “hurdle”. So, I checked it out for myself. I just don’t think a 90 min. movie that contains 39 “f” words could be recommendable or beneficial. The concept or message of this movie, however good, does not/ cannot trump biblical truth and purity. Why is it ok to watch or listen to something that is certainly unbiblical? I disagree that this is only a cultural issue, it is an biblical/ edification issue.
I am sorry to rain of the parade of praise for “Once” but maybe thats what the RR needs, more discussion. I love the RR and hope to continue to be encouraged by it. I am thankful to AP for his heart and his music I have been blessed by both.
Please hear my heart.
I am I alone in this Room on this issue?
I have to admit to feeling ambivalent about the movie. On the one hand, I love the music and MUST get the soundtrack. I know it will be one of my favorites. Hansard and Irglova were great to watch; Irglova especially is so appealing. I loved when she was pulling her vacuum around on the streets like a dog on a leash, or one of those children’s pull toys. I, too, liked the battery scene, and I liked the way the movie ended.
On the other hand, it seemed like a long music video to me. Or like a modern, independent film version of “Oklahoma”, or some other musical where people are bursting into song at somewhat inappropriate moments. (Although with a better plot.) Part of my reaction to this may have been that I knew absolutely nothing about the movie before I saw it, so I wasn’t prepared. Perhaps I might feel differently about it if I saw it again now, knowing what to expect.
Marc. I agree with you.
I had the same discussion with someone telling me that Pulp Fiction was a good movie; I’ve seen it, no it isn’t. That was the 1st movie when I started turning things off and walking away from media that hurts my ears. Just having a mental filter wasn’t sufficient for me. I can no longer pretend I didn’t hear it, or won’t remember it. Thinking it is a short step from saying it.
I haven’t seen Once, so I cannot comment on it. Hearing the f-bomb caveat I doubt it will enter my house. I think there is some cultural aspect to british/irish language but it is not a blanket approval. I loved Waking Ned Devine and don’t remember any f-bomb issues.
In my former days f-bombs would be no problem (actually sought) but I’m a new creation. This is one of the easiest areas for me to trip, so I flee from it (or at least try). I struggle enough working in a machine shop environment and not letting it creep in during those times. From past efforts/experience, I can usually walk the line of fitting in at work and not letting it show up at home. Never the two shall meet. In truth, I end up lying in one environment or the other; evil is a subtle creeping pressure that is happy with believers taking the stradling compromise position. I am probably hyper-sensitive to this since it’s a battleground for me.
Sorry to chase a rabbit on a trail off the main path. But this is the Rabbit Room. Once might be a catalyst for a whole new discussion on appropriate media/entertainment.
This is a short note to let you know that I’m not avoiding this discussion. The writing part of my brain has been tapped lately, but I do want to offer a reply to your thoughts, hopefully later today…
AP
Dan, Marc; you raise some good questions.
I come from the position of absolutely loving Once. I’m a writer and musician, and I was so engaged by the passion and the beauty with which Hansard and Irglova sang and played, and the simplicity of the plot … I loved it.
In college, I did a book study on “The Idea of a Christian College” by Arthur Holmes (I know, it sounds thrilling, right? Ha — I promise it was good.) He discusses in great detail the idea that Christians have nothing to fear from being truly educated, and from learning as much as possible about the world around us. He discusses the idea that “all truth is God’s truth, wherever it is found,” meaning, glimpses of the eternal can be seen in things that have nothing to do with church, with being “Christian,” etc., yet Christians can still glean and grow and learn incredibly valuable things through them (i.e., literature, science, the arts, etc.) I realize that this could be a potentially slippery slope of justification for studying overtly immoral things; and thus, it requires true discretion and responsibility. Somehow though, I resonate with that statement, that I can find truths about God and His heart when I’m reading about physics, or when I’m reading ancient Greek literature, or studying English, listening to a symphony, going running, or watching Once. I love that I have the freedom in Christ to take pieces of art and view them critically, through the lenses of truth. I love that I can glean valuable insights into the beauty, creativity, and passion of God by seeing it reflected in the people He’s created; even if their work isn’t overtly “Christian” in nature.
I realize that Holmes’ speaks mostly to the academic process, but I think a lot of his insights are translatable to life as a whole. I think there’s such a beautiful, challenging responsibility in being a follower of Jesus. A responsibility to be truly alive. A responsibility to be unafraid of listening, unafraid of thinking about the world around me, and about the art created by those living here. And yet, at the same time, this grave responsibility to compare and contrast what I see to the unchanging, eternal truths of Jesus Christ and the redemption that He brings; and ultimately, the responsibility to love Him and glorify Him through the way I live.
I’m not entirely sure what it looks like to do these two at the same time, and to live in a manner “worthy of the calling we have received.” I’m not sure how to do this and be continually above reproach. I still have a lot of questions about it, and I’d love to hear more of everyone’s thoughts and ideas on the matter – it’s certainly a complex issue, and there are roughly a billion ways to approach and think about it.
But yes, overall, I think it’s a beautiful movie, and despite its many imperfections, I think it provides a beautiful picture of the haunting power of a song, a melody, a lyric. I think there’s much to appreciate.
I’ve watched the video link about 4x now. Sounds terrific. I truly cannot praise or bash a movie I have not seen. My wife tends not to be so open to f-bombs (a different perspective and God bless her for it) and somehow even if i watched it at 1am, my 4 year will be saying it the next day. She has very good ears. If I have to keep my kids I’ll probably be just fine with not seeing it.
SIDE TOPIC:
One of Melinda’s other points was regarding schooling.
I live beside a Christian college campus and often wonder, what happens when students go from Christian school thru HS into Christian College and then into the secular world? Is there a great struggle with relating to the “real” world. Do they start sinking once they’re out of the boat and see the waters around them. I went to a public HS and college and saw many college students seem to be incapable of handling their newfound freedom and do serious damage. Is Christian schooling helping believers to be prepared or weakening their armor before they face the world? I have no real point or perspective and I find myself arguing both sides; just some open wandering.
As it was stated, a complex issue. Like many issues there is a grey inbetween the black and white. I don’t hold the films or media to some set standard, it’s a standard I set on myself. I struggle to meet the goal and avoid tripping wherever I can. This is a more troublesome area for me than may be for others. When I’m thinking right I avoid things that will be trip hazards.
This is all tied to the what is “good art” discussions that have percolated on here very often and have been discussions for a long time and will continue to be so.
Here’s what I’ve gathered so far. And forgive me if this seems formulaic, it’s how I end up putting things together to get an understanding for complex issues. All of this will probably be different in my head in 1 hour. Good is thrown around generically and includes Holy (Godly), inherent truth (reflecting God and/or His truth), and inherent beauty (craftsmanship). Containing only one of these qualities does not make it good; it needs at least 2. Getting very mathmatical, 1 point is just a dot and defines very little, 2 points define a line that can exist on many planes. 3 points define a plane; within that plane there is a horizontal and vertical. Just because something is Holy in aim doesn’t mean it is good art. My stubs pounding on guitar strings will not produce good music even if my only lyric is “Jesus is Lord”. It may be a sincere offering and beneficial in my personal worship of God, but it will not be good art.
I wondered about many of the movies from the AP best films of 2007 list. Part of me wants to see each and everyone of them. Part of me knows to avoid the ones that didn’t pass muster with Jamie (Mrs. AP). Alas I haven’t seen as many films as before I had kids. But many more Veggietales. Now that is good art.
Oh why not join in the conversation. I really find this a tough subject, too. I love the fact that liberty encompasses allowing us “meat sacrificed to idols” and allows us to avoid meat altogether. Here’s my personal take on cussing, and I’d love to hear smart people discuss it. Swearing is a sin, flat out. We cannot and must not take God;s name in vain. Cussing is socially poor taste. So, I don’t have nearly as much problem with someone cussing. But when it comes to reading and viewing, how does that fit in with whatever is true, beautiful, virtuous, etc? Can a character who is drawn and played truthfully and with great beauty still be so if he uses language that is true to his character? Ug. Couldn’t we just not think about this and let someone come up with nice pre-approved Christian things for us to watch and read? Why do I come up with a difference between “Once” and “No Country for Old Men”, niether of which I have seen? “Once” I would gladly see bad words and all becuase it tells an uplifting story that will make me happy. No COuntry I won’t see becuase I can’t imagine how anything wickedly violent could be worth my time. But that is more down to how I feel about it, and not how I think God thinks about it. Ew. my brain hurts now. I’m going to go listen to a Gaither Homecoming album and watch the Crystal Cathedral.
[...] those of you who didn’t read my post or its comments from a few days ago entitled “What Connects Us All,” here’s a recap. I recommended Once,the independent Irish film about a songwriter, [...]
[...] started with a thread where Andrew Peterson recommended the movie Once, but warned of “the F-bomb” being used 30 or so times. After that comment thread got [...]
[...] wrote a post on the Rabbit Room two weeks ago about the Once, one of my favorite movies of last year. Since it [...]
Barliman,
My wife purchased “Once” (cheaper than a rental) as a way to connect with the young worship leader types at our church. She works with them on projects that involve the arts academy she directs. They all raved about the film in a similar fashion to some of the comments here. We watched it last week-end for the second time picking up at the point where she fell asleep the week-end before. I too fell in and out of sleep during the first run but watched through to the end.
In reading through the posts, the singer/song writers and just plain writers seem to dig this movie. I can see the charm of it, the “look at the creative process” feel of it and find the music has a haunting quality to it.
They intended for it to be a musical. For the most part it is, but as was noted above, it kind of veers off into music video territory. The acting is a bit sloppy, but when you hear in the commentary that they intentionally went low-budget, that the “script” essentially consisted of bullet points, and the primary actors are not actors by trade but, musicians that can somewhat act (instead of the other way ‘round) well, that explains it.
As for the language, that was comical and it does mar the overall production value of the film. Particularly odd is use of the dreaded F-word by Marketa (just “Girl” in the movie credits); especially her use of it in reference to the batteries. By the way Barliman, she’s not Irish, so is the Czech Republic also a vulgar place?
I think the foul language is gratuitous in this film. Watch the commentaries on the DVD. There is no real swearing in those. The “making of” “featurette” makes it clear that most of the dialogue was improvised.
It just seemed over the top to me. Like teenagers playing with their dad’s video equipment. Here’s how it probably went on set:
Glen: “Hey, how about a song where I use the F-word a lot?!”
Director: “Yeah! Cool man!”
Glen: “Just making some great f-ing art!”
Director: “Cool.”
“Cool”, though not vulgar, is another overused word in the film. In the sequel, “Twice”, it will be replaced by “dude.”
The scene with the “F-word song” is completed with a little old lady giving “Boy” (Hansard’s name in the film) a dirty look (She posts in the Rabbit Room too when she sees any naughty bits). She’s obviously not truly Irish or even Czech, probably a Republican. Even the father of “Boy” let’s off an F-bomb as he’s listening to the demo. Again, you can hear the sophomoric chuckles on the set: “Coooool granddad!”
All in all this is a good movie, but not a great one. Really, its not the foul language that did it for me, but the pacing. The low-budget feel (which they intended) just comes off as clunky. I loved how “Girl” and “Boy” interacted. The vacuum cleaner she drags around is a priceless touch as is her composing the song while walking the street in her p.js’s and bunny (lamb?) slippers. But, I didn’t get enough of those moments of whimsy to think they were sincere and not just gimmicks. Okay, I also liked the song where she used her daughter’s toy piano. That too was whimsical and probably my favorite song in the movie.
I do think there is a great morality to the story (as Jason noted) in spite of the sophomoric dialogue. The story thread from start to finish holds together. Here are two people who push each other to do the right thing. With a real script, I think this could have been a great movie.
Due to this weeks American Idol, on which my favorite contestant, Kris, sang Falling Slowly, I was reminded of this great post on the Rabbit Room. This post introduced me to the movie Once, which I thoroughly loved, and the soundtrack which I enjoy even more.
Thanks guys.