‘The Swell Season’ offers an intimate look behind the music of Markéta Irglová and Glen Hansard

It would seem that Once, the little Irish film from 2006, has earned the power of longevity. The movie was a hit on the indie circuit, went on to win an Oscar for its two stars, Markéta Irglová and Glen Hansard, and the story continues on and on and on. There’s now a Broadway musical (recently nominated for 11 Tony Awards) and I wouldn’t be surprised if a theme park attraction opened in the near future, a ride where we could become an Irish musician or Czech immigrant selling flowers on the streets of Dublin.

Somehow, The Swell Season, the new documentary that shows viewers what happened to Irglová and Hansard after their Oscar success, proves there’s enough steam in this storytelling engine for yet another project. The film, ably directed by Nick August-Perna, Chris Dapkins and Carlo Mirabella-Davis, is an intimately effective portrait of two musicians who started out as two singers, became two lovers and then ended as two singers. Filmed in black and white, and seemingly with an all-access pass, the 88-minute documentary is one of the most profound music films in some time, allowing the audience to see the creative process, the trappings of fame and the disintegration of relationships.

After winning the Academy Award for writing the beautiful song, “Falling Slowly,” these two singer-songwriters took to the road for a busy tour around the United States. Formerly, they were used to playing small venues with only a handful of ticket buyers. Now, they could sell out large theaters and performing arts centers, including New York City’s Radio City Music Hall. The success couldn’t have happened to two nicer people. Both Irglová and Hansard seem genuinely thankful for the accolades and greater attention. But even though they’re thankful, Irglová, at least, is somewhat stymied by the success. Much younger than Hansard, she doesn’t deal with fame too well and even feels uncomfortable taking pictures with fans. She’s not a celebrity, she tells the camera, and seems content just playing the music.

Hansard, who has been there and done that, struggling for many years in Ireland, takes a slightly different approach to the heightened notoriety. He’s overjoyed by his night-and-day career, especially because it offers him a chance to give back to his mother (his alcoholic father seems loving, but distant).

The documentary allows us to see the building up their relationship, and the subsequent tearing down. Slowly the two singers come to realize that they’re a little too incompatible with each other, at least from a couple’s standpoint. They have shared many intimate moments, and they’re both free spirits, but that’s not enough to sustain the love affair. They remain creative partners, but inevitably part ways as personal partners.

All the while, Irglová and Hansard treat each other with an uncommon respect and admiration. When these types of relationships are described in romantic comedies, they often come across as cliche or feel manufactured around montages. In this real-life case, the two musicians organically come to the conclusion that they’re better off as friends and occasional colleagues. Their paths in life are somewhat different, often coming together, but sometimes quite disparate.

It’s a privilege to be a fly on the wall for their thoughtful conversations about life, music and love. So much so that I can’t wait for Once: The Disney World Attraction.

By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com

• The Swell Season

• 2011

• Written and directed by Nick August-Perna, Chris Dapkins and Carlo Mirabella-Davis

• Featuring Markéta Irglová and Glen Hansard

• Running time: 88 minutes

• Rating: