Once

(Ireland) A Summit Entertainment release of a Samson Films production in association with the Irish Film Board and RTE. Produced by Martina Niland. Executive producer, David Collins. Directed, written by John Carney.

By DENNIS HARVEY

Two actual Dublin singer-songwriters of as-yet minor renown play fictive ones in "Once," which took the World Cinema Audience Award at Sundance. Winningly unpretentious tale uses a wispy romantic narrative as a vehicle for attractive original tunes. Pic's charm seems so offhand one might not notice the skill with which helmer John Carney pulls it off, or how it plays like a full-blown musical without anyone bursting into song. Picked up for world rights minus Ireland by Summit Entertainment, "Once" will require outreach to folk/alt-rock fans to realize offshore sleeper potential.

A mid-30s man ID'd only as "Guy" (Glen Hansard) still works and lives above his father's vacuum repair shop, busking downtown in off-hours, hoping for a music-biz break. One day he's approached by a pretty Czech immigrant "Girl" (Marketa Irglova), who supports her mother and child -- the father remains back home -- selling roses to shoppers. She, too, is a musician-songwriter. When Guy gets past her initial pushiness, he finds both an artistic collaborator and a frustrating love object. Soon they're drafting other players for a marathon recording sesh. Natural thesping and appealing music make the whole enterprise a low-key charmer.

Camera (color), Tim Fleming; editor, Paul Mullen; music, Glen Hansard, Marketa Irglova; production designer, Tamara Conboy. Reviewed at Sundance Film Festival (competing), Jan. 20, 2007. Running time: 86 MIN.

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