JOHN CARNEY
Bil’s rating (out of 5): BBB.
Ireland, 2007. Bórd Scannán na hÉireann, , Radio Telefís Éireann, Samson Films, Summit Entertainment. Screenplay by John Carney. Cinematography by Tim Fleming. Produced by Martina Niland. Music by Glen Hansard, Markéta Irglová. Production Design by Tamara Conboy. Costume Design by Tiziana Corvisieri. Film Editing by Paul Mullen.
A street busker and an Czech immigrant connect over music in present-day Dublin after she hears him performing one of his heart-wrenching songs on the street for pocket change. They find they have a love of songwriting in common, which inspires more meetings and, eventually, their collaboration on his demo tape that he plans to take to London in order to reconnect with an old girlfriend and try his hand at making it in the music scene again. This simple, understated musical boasts two fine performances from the leads, both of whom are successful musicians in real life as well, but really comes alive when they crank out one tune after another. The sounds compensate beautifully for a story that is intentionally familiar and never particularly involving.
Academy Award: Best Original Song (“Falling Slowly”)
My Old Addiction.com 