Monday Morning Maybe

Add your email and we'll match picks to the services you stream at home.

Poster for Once

Once

Seen it?

2007 | 85 min | Drama, Music, Romance

Saturday Special

Why it’s a Saturday Special

Critics loved it (97% on Rotten Tomatoes), it made about 146 times its budget and it's still drawing plenty of interest. A strong pick for the weekend.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for romantics. If you loved Brooklyn or Inside Llewyn Davis, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Warm and romantic.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 25 min.
What might put you off
  • Rated R: meant for adults.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

A vacuum repairman moonlights as a street musician and hopes for his big break. One day a Czech immigrant, who earns a living selling flowers, approaches him with the news that she is also an aspiring singer-songwriter. The pair decide to collaborate, and the songs that they compose reflect the story of their blossoming love.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    97% on Rotten Tomatoes, 90 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesSolid

    7.4 out of 10

  • AwardsSolid

    Won 1 Critics' Choice Award: Critics' Choice Awards: Best Song. Won 1 Independent Spirit Award: 23rd Independent Spirit Awards: Best Foreign Film. Plus 1 other award.

  • Box office & staying powerStrong

    $23 million worldwide on a $160K budget

  • Buzz & cultural impactStrong

    About 462K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

More like this

Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks

Cast & crew

Directed by John Carney

  • Glen HansardGuy
  • Markéta IrglováGirl
  • Hugh WalshTimmy Drummer
  • Gerard HendrickLead Guitarist
  • Alaistair FoleyBassist
  • Geoff MinogueEamon
  • Bill HodnettGuy's Dad
  • Danuse KtrestovaGirl's Mother
  • Darren HealyHeroin Addict
  • Mal WhyteBill