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Think movie musicals, think stagey sets, glittery costumes, impromptu warbling and total fakeness, right? Not if you consider Once; an unassuming Irish indie that, for all its lack of gloss, outstrips its high budget American counterparts with sheer charm and sensitivity. John Carney directs his former bandmate Glen Hansard in a story of busker guy meets immigrant girl (Markéta Irglová) on the streets of Dublin with an appealingly rumpled, boho charm. And definitely no jazz hands.

Simple to the extent that its leads have no names, Once quickly establishes its premise when Irglová's flower seller confronts Hansard on the origins of his emotionally-wrought songs, and the two find a common interest in music. They decide to combine talents to record a demo, and that's about it action-wise. What actually happens is a gradual emergence of their histories through their music - while they're shy in normal conversation, both guy and girl are emotionally honest in song and find a certain intimacy through this (although this must be the most romantic film to feature nothing more than a peck on the cheek).

"HANSARD'S SELF-PENNED SONGS ARE INFECTIOUS"

Once is definitely not for the cold hearted although the quality of Hansard's self-penned songs is infectious even if angsty indie guitar ballads aren't normally your thing. The music feels organic to the film and this is one of its triumphs. In some places the camerawork feels a little underwhelming, and at times the leads' inexperience in acting shows up in comparison to their musical performances, but overall it works as a quiet, wistful modern romance.

Once is out in the UK on 19th October 2007.