Begin Again: Movie Review

Writer/Director John Carney (Once) is obviously very passionate about music and his latest film, “Begin Again” is proof. Mark Ruffalo and Keira Knightley star in this intelligent and funny story about two lost souls who connect when they decide to make music together. They do not connect in a romantic way, but they build a friendship which saves both of them.

Dan (Ruffalo) has just been fired from his record label, due to creative differences with his partner Saul (Yasiin Bey aka Mos Def). To make matters worse, Dan’s teenage daughter Violet (Hailee Steinfeld) witnessed her dad’s public breakdown at the record label. Meanwhile, across town, Greta (Knightley) just found out that her long time boyfriend and music partner Dave (Adam Levine of Maroon 5) has decided to start seeing someone else. Greta packs up her stuff and crashes at the apartment of her friend Steve (James Corden).

When Steve drags Greta to a small club in New York’s East Village and gets her to go on stage and perform, Dan just happens to be in attendance while getting sloshed at the bar. It takes just a few notes to get Dan to take notice of Greta’s musical gifts and right then and there he wants to work with her. Greta is hesitant at first, but with a little thought, she decides to give it a shot with Dan.
Dan wants to produce a demo for Greta but doesn’t have the money to do so. With the help of student musicians and a few professional ones donated by a former artist (CeeLo Green) Dan worked with, the group travel around the city and record the songs on the streets, illegally.

The chemistry between Ruffalo and Knightley is terrific and although Corden is here in a supporting role, he brings a good amount of laughs. Once of the best parts of “Begin Again” is the music itself and Knightley has a beautiful and soulful voice. As great as the whole cast is, which also includes Catherine Keener as Dan’s ex, it is the writing by Carney that helps make “Begin Again” such a joy to watch.

By: Marc Ferman