I really, really liked this movie. The language was an extreme disappointment, F this, F that. But, really, that's all there was that was objectionable in the movie for me. There's a little drinking and such, but not over the top or anything. There's one guy who's strung out on heroin or something, but you don't see him doing it and they certainly don't make it look glamorous. Overall, the movie I think had a positive message about the sanctity of friendship and marriage. And some great music as well! I'm not even in to the style of music in the movie and I'm planning on buying the soundtrack. I don't think kids should see it with all the cussing (do kids really need to experience that?), but if you're able to get past a million and one F-bombs, this is a pretty solid movie. I suspect my wife and I will buy it.
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Once
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
Not age appropriate for kids under 11, age appropriate for kids over 13; suggested age 13. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Sweet, romantic musical hits all the right notes.
updated 07.04.08
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 13 and Up
The good stuff
What to watch out for
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Violence :
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Sex :
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About Once
Parents need to know that although there's a fair amount of swearing in this endearing indie romance -- particularly "f--k" -- hardly anything else would raise a flag for teens and up. In fact, it's one of the few love stories that doesn't require its leads to get naked or fall in bed together. A thief does try to make off with the musician's street earnings, and there's some bitter talk of past breakups, plenty of beer drinking, and flirtation between a married woman and a single man (even though both know she's still married). But the positive messages about love and emotional connection outweigh any iffiness.
Read our full review by S. Jhoanna Robledo
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about what makes this movie so different from typical Hollywood romances. How does the main couple connect without having sex? Do other movies rely too much on establishing relationships primarily through getting physical? How do most movies define "love"? Is that realistic? Families can also discuss the fact that movies often portray the pursuit of dreams. Do these dreams seem attainable? If not, how do you keep the faith?
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Our Members Say
See all 20 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
Lives in TexasI rate this title off for age 13 and give itMy concerns are:- Inappropriate language
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Way too much cussing, otherwise great!
- Lives in MassachusettsI rate this title on for age 2 and give it
A Very Touching Film
This movie is the kind of movie that comes around once in a lifetime. When I was 10 I saw this movie, and even though it's R there is nothing to worry about. There is some use of the F-word, but you would hear that much F-words in 20 minutes in a 4th grade cafeteria. Everyone should see this movie. It's about a man who is a street performer that falls for a flower saleswoman and together they record a week's worth of music. The music is so astonishing and emotional that I almost cried when they played Falling Slowly. It's a romance about life, not sex. All in all, this is now one of my favorite films of all-time.
- Lives in IllinoisI rate this title on for age 11 and give it
An Engaging Musical
If your hung up on foul language you might want to screen this first and decide for yourself if it's appropriate for your kids. I,for own, am not bothered by the f word and don't try to shield my kids from it. I think the good messages and the love and art of creating music displayed by this picture far outweigh a few f bombs.
- Lives in WashingtonI rate this title on for age 13 and give it
Brilliant!
Inventive, smart story--you cannot help but adore the two lead characters...quirky--absolutely loved it--a true breath of fresh air...we bought the soundtrack. If given a lower age rating only concern would be for language. Again--we are baffled why this received an R and a movie like One Missed Call got a PG13...our ratings system is a mess in America.
- Lives in WashingtonI rate this title on for age 11 and give it
a REAL story
a beautiful story that is real and true. this is a good one for teens to watch--the fact that these two remained "just friends" reinforces good choices in world of movies that usually only show extremes. the f**k is so previlant because it is not considered a bad word in Ireland--just remind the kids that every culture is a bit different.
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Ratings at a Glance
| 100% | of parents say there are good role models |
| 100% | of parents say it gives kids positive messages |
| 100% | of parents say it has language their kids can't use |
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