I’m a hypocrite. While I like my music left of center and protest those in the middle form time to time, I like mindless dead-enter mass-appeal movies. The NSync of films. That’s my preference.
My friend Brian loves indie films, the kind that play in limited release at the hoity toity theatre on the wealthier side of Nashville. You know the ones. Long shots with no dialogue or motion, expressionless faces talking mumbling philosophically, usually melancholic, every scene unfolding at the speed of real life. No real climax. No real blockbuster ending. No sexy stars from the cover of People. I appreciate what these films set out to do – really – but as much as I try I just don’t usually enjoy them.
Yesterday my parents took the kids for the night (in town from Texas), and Becky and I saw two movies – a very rare thing. First we caught up with the rest of the world and watched the gratuitously computer generated Pirates of the Caribbean. Ho hum.
Then, after a break for dinner, we went to a hoity toity theatre on the wealthier side of Nashville to watch the indie film, Once.
Yes, it was slow. Yes, it looked like it was shot with a handy cam. Yes, every scene unfolded at the speed of real life. But I liked it, a lot.
It’s set in Ireland (my favorite place on earth) and centers around a single mother (played by Marketa Irglova) who plays piano and sings like an angel and a street musician/hoover repair man (played by real life troubadour Glen Hansard) who plays guitar and wails and dreams of making it big as a musician in London someday. Both perform in real life on an album called “The Swell Season” (buy it now) – and on the soundtrack for this film (buy it now).
The film is one huge indie music video, full of left of center tunes and the kind of gut-wrenching emotive singing missing from pop radio these days. It’s worth seeing if you love indie music…even if you don’t usually like indie films.
Here’s a taste:
My favorite song from the movie, “Falling.”
The official trailer:
I’ve heard a lot of really good things about this movie, I do want to see it.
I haven’t seen any of the summer movies. I’ll probably only see Harry Potter.
Star Wars 1,2,3 were Indie Films. (Which explains the Frankenstein Darth Vader moment in Episode 3)
I make (not lately) Indie art films but I hardly ever like to watch them.
Ever watch something and feel like they just pulled a little bit of yourself onto the screen? Anyone in the arts knows that you “expose” yourself little by little with your work. I liked the camera work—almost as a 3rd party observer. I had a good friend from NYC tell me the arts are a “jealous mistress” – the video is a good reminder to keep a balance among friends, family and the arts. Awesome! Hope it comes to Indianapolis.
Sweet, I’ll rush right out and… oh wait… I forgot: I live in Waco.
Frickin’. A.
I do love The Frames, though. I hope Once brings them the attention they deserve.
I bought the non-soundtrack CD and have been listening to it non-stop since yesterday. Thanks for the recommendation.
I am so sad. I work at a video store so part of my job is I have to watch movies. So I get to see all kinds. I’ve seen way to many movies for sure.
Glen Hansard and the Frames are class!! and i love that you love ireland!
Finally made it to the hoity toity theater on the wealthier side of Nashville tonight to see said film. It was well worth it…