It's a story about unrequited love and creative collaboration between two songwriters. One of them is a tallish red-headed Irishman who sings with so much passion I damn near started balling less than five minutes into the movie. Breathtaking doesn't begin. How on earth could I not *love* "Once"? I was doomed from the get-go.

The movie is really lovely, and it may be the most realistic portrayal of the desperate, tortured balance I think a lot of artists wrestle with while trying to express their gifts in a world that prefers they shut up and get a job and conform. Some of the compromises, the process of songwriting, the way an emotional state or reaction is translated into music....it was pretty interesting to see it captured in much the way I experience it. Not to mention the electricity of finding a creative connection, even setting aside romantic aspects of it - there's nothing like the moment when you work with someone and things just *click* and...I can't even describe it. It's satisfying on a gut level that few experiences in my life compare to.

It's kinda funny to me, too, because I think the director was contriving some of the scenes to make it a musical, and not just a film about musicians. Some of the reviews and interviews and such I've read talk about how instead of having a character suddenly burst into song, he created situations where it seemed natural - but that it was still a musical, and the songs were intended to be a direct expression of the character. I just have to laugh a little, because that is my life, how it works. I write songs walking down the street or sitting on the el or at my desk - I flip through photo albums or reminisce about old relationships and the next thing I reach for is a pen and a guitar.

From a film perspective...I think the writing and acting weren't nearly as tasty as the music, but I have to agree with the director's choice in that respect - I'll take mediocre acting with brilliant music over the reverse any day. Also, it looks like it was filmed completely with handheld cameras...so if you're a motion sickness sufferer, I would stay away and maybe even avoid the DVD. Otherwise, two thumbs up from me!

Proof that good karma serves me well? This morning, I forgot my wallet. I discovered it when I went to pay for the coffee I'd been sipping on while I browsed for a muffin. I start to flip out and get really annoyed with myself - and then the cashier says it's no big deal....since I'm in there almost every day, they trust me to come in and pay up when I get a chance.

That is why I'm always nice to servers, cashiers, and anyone else in customer service. They remember me, and do nice things for me. Especially when I'm stupid and forget my damned wallet!

Today's playlist:

"Closer" - Josh Radin
"Falling Slowly" - Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova
"Wonderwall" - Ryan Adams
"Are U That Somebody" - The Gossip
"Case of You" - Joni Mitchell
"Say It To Me Now" - Glen Hansard
"And I Love You So" - Don McLean
"If You Could Only See (acoustic)" - Tonic
"This Year's Love" - David Gray
"Dear Chicago" - Ryan Adams
"You Don't See Me" - Josie & the Pussycats
"The One I Love" - Rosie Thomas & Sufjan Stevens
"Life is Wonderful" - Jason Mraz
"All the Way Down" - Glen Hansard


Recent entries...
27 December 2007: 2007: Finis.
17 December 2007: A ruse, a rant, and a poem. It's short.
11 December 2007: Music & falling....story of my life.
08 December 2007: Briefly...ish.
29 November 2007: A poem, a rant, a lesson.