Begin Again

"You can tell a lot about a person by what's on their playlist."
"I know you can. That's what's worrying me."

Dan (Ruffalo) is a record label executive who has fallen on hard times.  He is estranged from his wife Miriam (Keener) and barely knows his daughter Violet (Steinfeld).  And he was just fired by his business partner Saul (Def).  Feeling hopeless, he stumbles into a bar where he hears Gretta (Knightley) perform.  He is inspired and he offers to get her a record deal, but Saul is underwhelmed and turns them away.

Gretta recently broke up with boyfriend / songwriting partner Dave (Levine).  They moved to New York months ago when he received a major recording deal, and then he had an affair.  Gretta is living with her best friend Steve (Corden), a struggling musician.  Gretta and Dan decide to produce her album on their own, as a live album recorded all over the city.  Can the music save them both?


The spiritual successor to 2007s Once.  The comparisons to Once make sense, as they were both directed by John Carney and featured strong music.  The song "Lost Stars" from this film is nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song.  All of the songs are beautiful, but "Lost Stars" is definitely the showpiece.  I also like "A Step You Can't Take Back Again," which recurs throughout the film.

Mark Ruffalo is an excellent lead, rapidly becoming more likeable and endearing as the film progresses.  Keira Knightley works well with him and has a nice singing voice (she even learned to play guitar for the part).  Most of the songs are performed by Knightley or Adam Levine, lead singer of Maroon 5.  This is Levine's film debut, and he does well in his part.  James Corden is loveable as Steve.  Carney made solid choices for all of his leads, who fit nicely into their roles and deliver memorable performances.

The music is the real star of the show, and it does not disappoint.  A sweet film that will having you humming for days.

Begin Again (2013) 104 minutes
Rating: R for language
Director: John Carney
Starring: Keira Knightley as Gretta
Mark Ruffalo as Dan
Adam Levine as Dave
Catherine Keener as Miriam
Hailee Steinfeld as Violet
James Corden as SteveCeeLo Green as Troublegum
Mos Def as Saul