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I saw this a while back and forgot to post about it. Apparently it didn't amaze me as much as it did the critics, but I did like it quite a bit. I have a feeling that appreciation of this movie must most likely go hand-in-hand with appreciation of its music. And, the appreciation of the music may need to override one's sense of appeal when it comes to camera work. In the case of my movie theater audience, some of the older folk just didn't get the look and the style of music, and they left, mumbling about how "This does absolutely nothing for me." So, if you're interested, check out some of the songs on myspace and then go see the movie if you like them.

From what I've read online, the music is mostly written by Glen Hansard of The Frames (of whom I had never heard until looking up this movie on Amazon), who plays "guy" to Marketa Irglova's "girl". The story is simple enough, a convenient set up for a modern-day musical: a guy who sings on the street meets a Czech girl who also likes music. They are both lonely and befriend each other and literally make beautiful music together, all while we wonder whether the two will end up together in the end.

The movie is filmed with a very gritty feel, which is what director John Carney (also formerly of The Frames) was trying to achieve, to show the working-class feel of Dublin several years ago. The songs are often just as abrasive, with Hansard's vocal chords put to their full use, both in volume and passion. His voice, coupled with the sweet tones of Irglova's, makes for some very heartfelt and affecting songs.

While I would only buy about half the songs off the soundtrack, the rest of the movie still works because there is, beyond the music, a genuine level of friendship and emotion. And the route the story takes is not necessarily one that was expected, which makes it that much better. In the end, the movie is a sort of musical snapshot of a week's time in these people's lives, and an endearing one at that. I will have to revisit it in a few more months and see whether I like it more or less, but for now, it was definitely worth it for the scene where the girl makes up the lyrics to "If You Want Me" while walking down the street.