Once

Once, which I saw the other day, is one of the most enchanting films I've seen for a long time. Itr's set in Dublin and filmed on a tiny budget, with no stars, and using what looks like digital video. it had originally been scheduled to be released on DVD only, in a small-scale release - then, apparently someone, somewhere, an American, saw it and took it to the Sundance Film Festival, where it was a huge hit. It took off from there, and and it's been in the top 30 box-office list for weeks, longer than some expensive blockbusters.
A lot of this can be attributed to the traditional American fondness for all things Irish, but there's gentle charm about the film that's captivating. There are no stars - the male lead is played by the singer in a little-known Irish band, The Frames, and is best-known for a small part in The Commitments. The young Czech girl, who has a baby, a mother, and lives in a grim lodging house in the shabbier part of Dublin along with several other immigrants from Eastern Europe, is played by a nineteen-year-old complete unknown. However, she's musically talented, plays the piano and sings like an angel.
It's a love story of sorts, but once again, it has echos of Lost in Translation. It's not a sexual relationship, just two lonely, but compatible people who happen to click. They part at the end, and you feel that it's doesn't matter - what's important is what they've given each other.
It's a lovely film - difficult to describe. There's lots of music, as the two pick up some other musicians and make a CD, and the film spends a great deal of time watching them get this together.
Apparently, in real life, the two leads are now an item. Whatever, it's had a huge impact. It speaks of life as it is today, with people just scratching along as best they can, and making the best of things - I loved it.