The Swell Season (2011)

The Swell Season

I’m a big fan of the movie Once. If you have not seen it and like romantic movies I suggest you check it out. It’s about a street artist who falls in love with a girl he meets and the two create music together. The songs were great (the movie won an Oscar) and it’s one of the few movies where I still listen to the soundtrack. The roles were played by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, who at the time were a real life couple. They formed a band (The Swell Season) and toured a lot.

The Swell Season review

Shot in beautiful black and white we join the couple on this road movie and see what has happened to them since their Oscar win. We see them perform songs on several stages, but also a lot of footage of them on the road and meeting their fans. It also goes into the personal lives of both musicians. Hansard’s parents are interviewed and are extremely proud of what their son has achieved. In turn Hansard talks about the troubles his parents have. We also catch a glimpse of Irglová’s family, but during the film it becomes clear that she isn’t a big fan of cameras and is more closed than Hansard. Their relationship also goes through ups and downs and we witness some of that too.

The Swell Season

I mainly enjoyed the performances of the songs I knew, with the highlight the closing scene with him playing an acoustic song in a huge theatre. If you are a fan of the band then I’m sure you will love this documentary. If you don’t know The Swell Season or haven’t seen Once you probably won’t get as much out of the movie as it really doesn’t dig deep.

Score: 6

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0XbvHgByww]

8 thoughts on “The Swell Season (2011)

  1. I adore Once. Though, it’s one of those films I haven’t revisited since first seeing it. The soundtrack’s never far away from being listened to though.

    Didn’t know about this documentary. Sounds interesting! I remember reading about the couple’s up and down relationship when Once was going all awards season mad. Crazy times!

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