If you haven’t seen the Irish indie Once… um, why not? I urge you not to end 2007 without having a look-see and a listen (take note: the DVD comes out Dec. 18). Since the film premiered last spring, fans of the Frames have been beaming with pride about frontman Glen Hansard’s performance, as a gentle-hearted Irish busker making ends meet in Dublin while nursing dreams of a bigger career, opposite real-life love Marketa Irglova, whose spirited character has far more musical talent than opportunity. Unfortunately, fans of Once have been more than a wee bit disappointed by the Independent Spirit Awards, which recognized the film with just one (albeit well-deserved) nomination: Best Foreign Film.
Here’s what I’m wondering, as Oscar-time nears: Is it too much to hope for the Grammy-nominated "Falling Slowly" (a spare but gorgeous Once duet that haunts you for months after you see the film) to triumph over the Enchanted juggernaut and win Best Song? I think Carrie Underwood’s "Ever Ever After" is a perfectly fine Disney toe-tapper that’s perfectly predictable down to its perfectly-placed key change, but when it comes to picking the best movie song this year, I’d love to see somebody else win. (For example, if Once is overlooked but Stephen Sondheim earns a trophy for Sweeney Todd in the score or song category, I’d be happy as pie with that, too.)
I’d love to hear what tune you think deserves Best Song at the next Academy Awards… sing out, PopWatchers! (Oh, and watch the "Falling Slowly" video, below.)
UPDATE: The Academy has released a list of the 59 eligible songs. Nothing from Sweeney Todd, and "Ever Ever After" is not one of the two songs from Enchanted. Once has both "Falling Slowly" and "If You Want Me." Cross your fingers.
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I agree that Once is totally deserving. I have yet to see the movie-I will be buying the dvd-but the soundtrack is phenomenal. I also hold out hope for Ladies Choice from Hairspray-really cute song and great to dance to!
Sweeney Todd won’t be eligible for any Oscars for Best Song–Stephen Sondheim didn’t write any new material for the film, so only the score will be able to snag a nomination.
I agree that the songs from Enchanted are much more Academy-friendly, but for my tastes, I would argue that “So Close” (the song that plays during Amy Adams Patrick Dempsey’s turn on the dance floor) is a better use of a song on film. Anyone whose breath wasn’t taken away after that dance doesn’t have a heart.
I agree that “So Close” is a much better choice than “Ever Ever After”. It’s so beautiful, and while “Ever” is fun it’s not terribly unique. I’m pulling for “Ladies Choice” to win the Oscar though, that song is awesome.
“Ever Ever After” won’t be nominated because it wasn’t submitted. Disney submitted the following from “Enchanted”.
“So Close”
“That’s How You Know”
“Happy Working Song”
Haven’t seen “Once” but I’d love to check it out sometime.
Agree with other posters who say “Ever Ever After” shouldn’t be the one to represent “Enchanted.”
However, I think i’d go with “That’s how you know” for the Best Original Song nod. I don’t think it matters who you are…you can’t help but crack a smile during that sequence.
Here’s my question: Any word on whether there’ll be five nominees this year (the past couple of years there have been three) seeing as how there seem to be more deserving candidates than in years past (with quality original music in “Once”, “Enchanted” and, I’m assuming, “Walk Hard”.)?
Oh my gosh after I saw Once I immediately listened to this song over and over and over. What’s strange is I HATE indie-type music. I hope it stands a chance at the Oscars.
Falling Slowly really is an amazing song. It definitely deserves the win.
Any of Eddie Vedder’s songs from Into the Wild should be nominated, if not win.
If its eligible, (if the movie is out in time) I’m pulling for ‘Say’ by John Mayer that was written for ‘The Bucket List.’ The movie looks like one big cliche, but the song is really good.
I liked ‘Once’ when I saw it, but the music didn’t impress me enough to follow up and keep listening, and I’m a big soundtrack/score fan usually.
Fox is for revealing the whole film in this video! Is this the way they plan to make people see the film?
Falling Slowly isn’t eligle. It’s a song by the Frames that was covered for the movie. The rule is that the song must be created for the film. There are other beautiful songs in Once that qualify though, and hopefully one will win.
“Falling Slowly” is the most beautiful song I’ve heard all year. Just stunning, the way this movie (and its soundtrack) just came out of no where. And Mina, I think this clip is almost exactly like the original trailer, so Fox isn’t giving away that much…
Tears In Heaven didn’t get nominated, and the song was huge back in 1992. Beauty and the Beast got three nominations for original song and won. Disney’s songs have the upper hand.
i’m pulling for “ladies’ choice” as well that was a GOOD song
My sister talked me into seeing Once, and I ended up really enjoying it… The soundtrack has some beautiful songs, including the Falling Slowly song…would be happy if they won…I also think the entire Into the Wild soundtrack was amazing too…i’d be happy with either of these wins.
Once is a beautiful and real movie! And the soundtrack is amazing! It should win!
The night my fiance proposed to me, he took me to see Once. He chose the movie because he’d heard it was romantic, and because of the tagline: “How often do you find the right person? Once.” He made arrangements with the management of the theater, and when he got down on one knee, “Falling Slowly” started playing in the theater and the tagline came up on the screen. Needless to say, this wonderful movie and its music will always have a special place in my heart, and I would absolutely LOVE to see the music get its due with awards!!
I think the music from “August Rush” was great. I’d love to see it at least get nominated.
Although, I can’t wait to see “Once” when it’s out on DVD (Tuesday!) because of all the great things I’ve heard about it.
“Baby Don’t You Cry” from Waitress was such a sweet, simple, lovely song. I’d love to see it get nominated.
i’m rooting for Into the Wild’s songs. 3 of them made the Oscar short list!!
well forget about “ladies’ choice”, they picked “come so far” over that song? well no noms from “hairspray” then. from the short list, i think it’s probably going to “falling slowly” even though they haven’t chosen the five “finalists” yet.
Oh…so happy that someone is campaigning for Once! Can’t wait to see what happens with the movie’s songs being shortlisted!
I hope “Once” gets the nomination (and the win) – haven’t managed to see the film yet but I have the soundtrack and it’s awesome. It’s too bad that nothing from “Sweeney” is eligible, given that it is possibly the best musical score EVER, but with any luck it’ll get best score…
It would be great if Falling Slowly got it. It was my favorite song from the movie and I’ve been listening to it on my iPod over and over.
I like this song from Once, but I’m totally pulling for “Pop! Goes My Heart” from Music and Lyrics. =)
I totally agree about Falling Slowly, but I think it’s inelligable. That being said, I also think “Pop! Goes my Heart” needs to be nominated. It was sheet 80s pop bliss but from the 2000s…
I’m personally rooting for “Enchanted’s” “So Close,” possibly one of the most beautifully effective songs from any film in 2007. I haven’t seen “Once” yet, which somehow reminds me of 1966’s “A Man and A Woman,” but I did catch the “Falling Slowly” movie clip, which looks interesting. I believe for once, the Academy will have a rich field of movie songs to choose from this time, and nothing like 2005’s “It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp” from “Hustle and Flow!”
So Close is a beautiful song, and its use in the film was brilliant. If they show that clip, I can’t imagine how it won’t get nominated.
Not sure if anyone cares, but “Falling Slowly” was written for the movie, performed for the movie, and Glen Hansard liked it so much he recorded it with The Frames between the time the movie was finished and its being released this year, so I’m guessing it’s still eligible.
Best song, sure – any song from Once would work (well, maybe not the Hoover-fixer-sucker guy song)- but what about an Oscar for Best Movie? Let’s not forget how brilliant the whole movie was, how innovative and uplifting and credible and … you get the idea – something worthy of an Oscar.