Once ****
Winner of the Audience Award at this year’s Sundance, John Carney’s poignant, modern-day love story set on the streets of Dublin offers a brooding alternative to the traditional conventions of the musical. Casting real-life musicians, Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, as the unnamed leads, the film centres on their unlikely relationship when the ‘Girl’ (Irglová), an immigrant pianist, helps the ‘Guy’ (Hansard), a street busker, to make a demo to take to London. Attracted by their mutual adoration for music, a hesitant but empathetic relationship swiftly develops as they come to terms with past loves through the delicately veiled metaphors of lyrics that are subtly woven into the narrative.

Shot on digital video, Carney’s highly charged, urban mise-en-scène with its blinking street lamps, vacant and dishevelled bedsits provides ample poetic backdrop for the film’s lengthy tracking shots, epitomised in a sequence where the Girl walks to the corner shop in pyjamas and slippers while listening to one of the Guy’s songs on her personal stereo. With outstanding performances from Hansard and newcomer Irglová, Carney has created a sublime, visual album of self-assured yet unassuming eloquence.
Amy Simmons
In stores now (DVD $29.90, VCD $19.90)

Lars and the Real Girl ***
Shy office worker Lars (Ryan Gosling), a gentle but seemingly friendless soul, spends his evenings alone in smalltown America. A chance glimpse of a crass colleague’s web-surfing prompts a life change, however, when Lars subsequently takes delivery of shiny plastic companion ‘Bianca’, a ravenhaired beauty lifelike in every detail. Unsure how to react when Lars tells them she’s of Brazilian and Danish stock, a paraplegic and very religious, his brother and sister-in-law (Paul Schneider, Emily Mortimer) put up ‘Bianca’ in their spare room and seek the advice of a therapist (Patricia Clarkson), who reckons they should just let Lars work through his…issues.

So, a story about a man and his sex doll played not for snide laughter but as a touching fable on the restorative powers of human affection? That’s certainly an unexpected combination, and writer Nancy Oliver (Six Feet Under) was Oscar-nominated for her screenplay, recognition for the way this tall tale holds its nerve and stands up for thinking the best of people.
Trevor Johnston
In stores now (DVD $29.90, VCD $19.90)

Doomsday ****
The Mohawk-sporting villain of Neil Marshall’s futuristic action movie drives a Frankenstein car cobbled together from spare parts, decorated with human skulls and flayed skin. Marshall, likewise, lashes together elements from ’80s post-apocalyptic movies such as Mad Max and Escape from New York to create a supercharged monster of a movie. Parts cannibalised from other movies are bolted on with less success, but Marshall’s adrenalinfuelled skill and enthusiasm propel the action forward with reckless abandon. The violent fi ght scenes, explosive set-pieces and retro-future settings fire the imagination. Appropriately, given its throwback pedigree, Doomsday culminates in a car chase, accompanied by Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s apt ‘Two Tribes’.
Nigel Floyd
In stores now (DVD $29.90, VCD $19.90)