Begin Again (2013) Viewed: 11/6/2020 Starring: Keira Knightley, Mark Ruffalo, Directed by: John Carney Written by: John Carney

Plot: The film centers on Gretta (Keira Knightley), a songwriter. She can sing and has clear talent, but she prefers not to appear on stage or be recorded. The film opens with her playing in a small bar, however. It's evident she doesn't want to be there and that she has little stage presence. Following this performance, the camera pens to Dan (Mark Ruffalo). We then go back to Dan's past few hours: he was ousted by his record label, mocked by his daughter and ex wife, and is clearly down on his luck and an alcoholic. When he hears Gretta play, he sees an entire band appear around her: this is a star in the making. We then jump back to Gretta's past few days: her arrival in NY with boyfriend Dave (Adam Levine). Dave is hot new music star and has just signed with a major record label. Gretta, who has written Dave's songs with him, is along for the ride.

Soon, however, a fracture appears: Dave has fallen for someone else. Gretta leaves upset and ends up at the bar where she plays her song for Dan. This is where the timelines all converge. Dan convinces Gretta to make a music album all over New York: Central Park, on the rooftop, in the subway, etc. They also learn about each other's past: both of their exes had cheated on them. Gretta also has a positive effect on Dan, mending his relationship with his daughter. Through the music and they helping each other's career (Dan helping Gretta play her music live and make an album, Gretta helping Dan produce a great album and putting him back on the map) as well as their personal lives. Dave tries to reconnect with Gretta, but in a poignant moment, comes to realize that this new, confident version of herself, has grown apart from Dave, even though he is sorry for his mistake.

Review: This is very cute and well-made movie. It starts off with multiple flashbacks, which works really well, without ever getting confusing. The chemistry between Ruffalo and Knightley is also palpable and helped by great performances from both. It's a really good decision to not make this a straight up romance, even though the story would lend itself perfectly for that. The writer-director could have easily taken the road of a love triangle and a big climax at the end where Knightley would have to choose between Levine and Ruffalo: the man who she loved as her past self, or the man who helped her realize her true potential. Instead, the story focuses on the growth of both of our lead characters. How they both try to begin again, after their careers and love lives have taken a nosedive and choose to let the parts they want to keep in the past in the past, and hold on to the parts they cherish. It's a story of overcoming inner demons and regret, and beginning again as their happiest most genuine selves. This comes to its culmination in its very strong ending which goes contrary to your standard Hollywood fare.

I was a big fan of ONCE - I did not see BEGIN AGAIN when it first came out and only recently watched it and I loved it. One must be in the right mood for this winning, open hearted film - it can be easily passed over as sappy or sentimental but I thought the story of two damaged people meeting each other at just the right time - to be there to help one another - is very well done and Knightley and Ruffalo are wonderful together. But what really makes the whole package work is the fantastic songs - many people were involved with the writing of the music - including Carney the writer-director but the main person behind the songs is Gregg Alexander - a very underrated, very talented musician who was the band The New Radicals in the 90's. He has a way of writing catchy melodies and Lost Stars is a marvelous song - I think my fav scene though is when they are on the rooftop and crank out that song w/ Ruffalo jamming with his daughter. Brought a smile and a tear. I'm a sucker for Carney's films because I also loved SING STREET!

Ahhhhhh, another evening well spent with Mrs. Shullivan. This is a feel good film that was such a pleasant way to spend an evening forgetting the troubles in the world for a few hours. Mark Ruffalo stars as Dan, a former successful record producer who has fallen into a deep slump both in his business and personal life. Dan is separated from his wife Miriam (Catherine Keener) and rarely sees his teenage daughter Viloet (Hailee Steinfeld).

Dan's business partner Saul (Mos Def/Yasiin Bey) has just fired Dan for more than one reason. As a record producer Dan still has an old soul for music. Before firing Dan, Saul asked Dan when was the last time he had a hit. I think Dan would have preferred to respond to his old partner by stating "this morning". But Dan would be responding as if he had heard Saul ask when was the last time he had a $hit, and not a hit.

After being fired, Dan is binge drinking when a stranger on the subway hands him a pamphlet telling Dan that God is with him. Immediately after getting off the subway Dan stumbles into yet another music bar and he has an epiphany. He hears an angel singing named Gretta (Keira Knightley) and Dan envisions more than just Gretta on her acoustic guitar. This scene is both rare and memorable for both Mrs. Shullivan and myself. You see (actually the bar patrons don't see) Dan envisions in his mind while Gretta is singing solo on the stage, Gretta playing with the accompaniment of a full orchestra, which includes a drummer, guitarists, violin and a cello.

Of course Dan cannot resist introducing himself to Gretta and advises her that she is going to become famous with her songwriting and singing. The film evolves with Gretta and Dan sharing their most personal pains which include their relationships that have dissolved. Gretta's old boyfriend who she lived with for five (5) years was a singer named Dave (Adam Levine) whose career has just skyrocketed when Gretta discovers that Dave has been cheating on her with a girl named Mimi. Mark Ruffalo and Keira Knightley brought their characters to life. They were so entertaining with their very strong performances, their personal relationship that it will bring the audience close to one another hoping for a happy ending. Music is life, and life is music.

As they say, "if it doesn't kill you, it will make you stronger". So Gretta continues with her songwriting and she wants the downtrodden Dan to produce her first album. So a new journey begins when Dan's old business partner declines to produce Gretta's album so Dan recommends to Gretta that they produce the album on the city streets and landscapes of New York city as their sound stage. Gretta's only friend in New York a former London lad named Steve (James Corden) agrees to be their sound man for the album, and Dan enlists the financial assistance of an old client named Troublegum (Cee Lo Green) to hire a drummer and a lead guitarist.

Through the making of their first album, Dan brings in the rest of the musicians which include a keyboard, violin, cello, and even his daughter Violet strums a mean base guitar solo. The songs that Gretta sings around the streets and building tops of New York city are stunning both visually and through the music score are captivating songs. Much credit must be given to writer/director John Carney whose previous body of work includes the 2007 musical film Once, and the 2016 musical film Sing Street. If you see the name John Carney in any film credit there is a much stronger possibility of a hit film. You won't go wrong with Begin Again which is a beautiful, melodic, warm and a feel good film.

It is deserving of a 9 out of 10 rating.