Yes what you describe as underwhelming is the most common reaction I’ve heard and what I was trying to get across when I said it simply didn’t engage some people and left them with a “so what?” feeling.

But at home in Ireland, some people who felt the same as you, unlike you, didn’t keep their mouths shut and said it sucked once it started being successful in the US. And that success definitely brought out the anti-Glen brigade, which Sinead Gleeson acknowledges here on her own Sigla blog.

I had seen the Spirit Awards, thanks, but decided to let it pass (mistakenly I think now) due to its proximity to the Oscars which I was expecting it to do well in. That’s a great video clip of the director John Carney you have linked to there. Thank you very much for that.

I loved the music from Once (as I like the Frames) but did not care for the movie at all. They are an adorable couple, and I love the fact that this movie was made and out there, but it left me cold. It was basically an over long music video with not much plot pushing the story. Parts were fine, and it was nice to look at…but it was disappointing. I saw it very early in the US (as I live in Los Angeles and we tend to see everything - can’t be helped really) and I just kept my mouth shut when people raved and told me that I must see it (irish American background so people steer things they consider irishy stuff towards me) didn’t want to sway opinions etc…

I don’t think it’s backlash so much as being honestly underwhelmed.

And here’s an interview that some people didn’t like.

Nothing earth-shattering though.

Sam - I wonder if those extra moments for Irglova before she got to make her speech, made it easier for her. You know I’ve never really heard any specific citicisms of the film beyond it simply not floating people’s boat. The people that I’ve met or read who don’t like it just say it didn’t engage them, and left them with a so what feeling. So I suspect the strength of the reaction against it is based on the reaction in favour of it, sort of like a corrective thing - but I can’t speak for them. Personally I like Hansard, from the Commitments, through to the Frames, and his many collaborations, but he’s been a public figure for a long time (that I haven’t been closely exposed to for half of it) and some people just don’t like some of the things he says.

Isorski - It was definitely a very popular win - which is no great surprise seeing the reaction it caused on the film’s release in the US. And hers’s the link to those reviews and posts in your Glen Hansard category.

You;re right. I did hear about Once here first and I have to say I really liked the film. What were the criticisms against it?