This was a romance?

Where was the romance between the main characters?....The movie just had them meeting, then singing a lot, then having the woman ending up with her husband again. I felt no connection to the main characters because they mainly sang songs rather than talked and shared any moments.

What a huge letdown. I give it zero stars.

I have to agree with you pal. I felt the same way. I couldn't feel development of much attraction between them. I was in fact surprised to see this movie had topped the lists of best romantic movies of that particular year. I decided to watch this movie because I liked this director's other movie "begin again" which is again not your typical romantic comedy but attraction between two leads was pretty nicely felt.

It was basically one week in time... There was obvious mutual attraction but certain variables got in the way. I personally would've let the mother come to London... That's me though

It reminded me of Brief Encounter - two people fall in love but for other reasons, that love has to be put away, so they part.

Brief Encounter is surely the pinnacle of romance in cinema, or damn close to it. I know that it doesn't fit your description of a romance that you posted elsewhere in this thread, but there is a prime example of how romance is in the relationship, but might never be fulfilled.

Same here, in Once. The love is all too real - rarely have I seen such passion where nothing comes of it. The looks they give each other, the emotions that play across their faces as they wrestle with the idea that there is no 'them'. It's terrific, and heartbreaking. And it's romance. Without a doubt.

I agree, the only reason I kept watching was because I was waiting for that "big" moment. I kept thinking all the ways it would happen. His ex coming back because he figured out he was in love with girl. Him finding out what she really said at the ocean (I didn't find out till I saw it here but I assumed it had something to do with him). Then finding out she was married and the same happening with her ex. I was disappointed it never happened. How can it be a love story without the love?

I agree with you too.

Because you didn't like the movie doesn't mean your're ignorant towards films... You just didn't like it!

Like another poster, I watched patiently and sometimes bored hoping I could really feel the connection between the two main characters but I just couldn't it wasn't there. I watched this movie after watching Before Sunrise and Before Sunset. I searched similar movies and Once came up. I read reviews that it was a masterpiece. When I began watching it was a big let down... I also was expecting romance, it may not have to be cliche but gosh at least something like a physical touch or kiss to really pull the audience.

But that's life sometimes, isn't it? You share a brief, brilliant connection with someone, and then circumstances take you elsewhere. That's happened with me before. Life is not a storybook, and this film so accurately and wonderfully reflects that.

Also, as far as the connection, I don't mean this to sound patronizing at all, but if you were a musician I think you'd get it. There's something so beautiful and amazing about connecting with someone on a musical level, especially when you really get clicking. When you share a song with someone, whether it's one you've written yourself or an "established song," as Marketa says in the film, you communicate in a way that you can't just by talking.

And it's fine if you don't connect that way. Not everyone does. It's not right or wrong. But that might explain why you thought it was a letdown while I thought it was totally brilliant.

"Hey! If...if we had some rope, we could make a log bridge...if...if we had...some...logs."