The Czechs and Slovaks are two peoples, from two now-distinct countries. Since the film in question takes place today, it would be nice to acknowledge this distinction.

Thank you so much for writing about this film. I saw it at Sundance this year - squeaked in as the last 3 people on the waitlist line, early in the festival before the word of mouth turned this into a big festival hit.

I LOVED it. It's everything you say it is. I am thrilled you are letting people know about it. It truly (and sorry for resorting to cliche) reminded me how wonderful a film cana be.

The writer obviously used a familiar locution. It was a mistake. Not a slight on the Czechs or Slovaks. Don't wet yourself.

I'm not sure I understand the "Czech" controversy here. Zacharek refers to the young woman as "Czech". Is it incorrect to say that? If you refer to someone as a Czech, do you have to then say, "Of course, I understand that Czechoslovkia is now two countries, and the Czechs and the Slovaks are two distinctly different groups?" Someone, please enlighten me.

Anyway, this sounds like a lovely film. It'll probably take awhile to get here, but I'll be on the lookout for it.

The initial letters were reacting to the fact that the lead-in to the article read "Irish boy meets Czechoslovak girl on the streets of Dublin" and repeated the mistake within the review. I wrote the author of the article and, to her credit, she had it corrected very quickly.

I just saw "Once" last night and it is fabulous. I'm a Dub living in the US and I have to say that the low budget, gritty cinematography captured the spirit of Dublin in a way I have never seen before. I felt very homesick indeed after it.

It was also fascinating from the perspective that the guy and girl are both struggling to get by on little money in a city that is normally associated with wealth nowadays - it showed a side of Dublin that reminded me more of the early 90s than today but is true to life. I didn't even realise we still had public phones!!

Two small clarifications: They don't meet in a park but on Grafton Street which is the main shopping street in Dublin where most famous Irish bands (including U2) started life busking for coins. Apparently the first scene had to be shot at 4 in the morning - the only time when Grafton Street is empty of revellers (I'm a little surprised that it is even quiet at 4!). Also when they take the motorbike out they do not walk beside a lake. They are on Howth Head which is one of the headlands on either side of Dublin Bay and they are looking out on the Irish Sea towards Wales. If you're ever in Dublin go there! It's stunningly beautiful and hard to imagine that there is a city tucked away in the background.

Great review!

I agree with the comparison to Before Sunset. It has that quiet, emotionally full to the brim charm. Dublin is gritty and very European looking, the music is rousing, and the lead characters are a sight for sore eyes. I loved everything about this film. Go see it. Be one of the 10 people who do. There were 5 or 6 of us in the theatre and we sat through the credits savouring.