Begin Again (2013) review - Movie Thoughts (Chapter 15) 🎹

 Hello everyone,

Today's review is for a musical film that I initially thought I wouldn't like after I watched the trailer. 2013 Emily was a silly billy, because this one was honestly one of my favourite films I've ever seen. It's truly unassumingly brilliant, 10/10 would recommend....

(**disclaimer: the following thoughts are 100% my opinion, you do not have to agree with them - film is inherently subjective and everyone's perspective is valid! Also, there are probably spoilers in the following, read at your own risk. Now onto some thoughts....**)

Source: IMDB

Akin to a stroll in the sunshine listening to your favourite song, Keira Knightley and Mark Ruffalo led this heartwarming and easygoing story of music, reinvention and new beginnings. After a serendipitous meeting between a washed up music producer and a heartbroken English musician, the two strike up an unlikely friendship and endeavour to collaborate on a promising project. It’s humble aesthetic dominated by picturesque New York settings and a cohesively poignant set of original songs envelops audiences in quite an intimate story with elegant direction from Once (2007)’s John Carney.

On the surface, the plot enhanced a typical clique honeymoon to heartbreak story with a knocked down nice-guy who finds his mojo again. The former belongs to talented English musician Gretta (Keira Knightley); whose baggage is heartache at the hands of ambitious rising star musician Dave Cole (Adam Levine) after their move to the bright lights of New York City. Carney presented a clever early setup of this context with periodic flashbacks of how Gretta ended up in the shoebox bar where grumpy alcoholic record producer Dan (Mark Ruffalo) hears her sing for the first time and decided he needed to produce her album. Also establishing Dan’s distaste for modern demo’s with both too much and not enough autotune in amongst shots of his fractured relationship with teenage daughter Violet (Hailee Steinfeld) and ‘wife’ Miriam (Catherine Keener), a hyper-reliance on alcohol and generally not caring clearly shows audiences how much Dan needed that spark to get him excited about music and life again.

Original extra quirks like a hallucination-esque full band arrangement of Gretta’s ‘A Step You Can’t Take Back’ from Dan’s incredibly drunk perspective, an absurdly hilarious detour to Cee-Lo Green’s mansion halfway through the film and the Try Not To Dance game at the house party were extremely disarming. Many sequences felt less like cinematic frames and more like experiencing moments alongside friends. It was easy to just sit back and relax; soaking in the life lessons and fantastic music.

Gregg Alexander’s music was absolutely beautiful. Every song was simple and honest; hitting that sweet spot of indie pop and singer/songwriter brilliance. These tracks were effortlessly worked into the narrative in a variety of exciting caveats; with each perfectly punctuating the dramatic beat it accompanied. ‘Coming Up Roses’ embodied much of Dan’s crazy professor energy when he built up the compositions of Gretta’s songs; even bargaining to give matches and cigarettes to children in order to get some backing vocals. Leaving the gorgeous and heartbreaking ballad ‘Like A Fool’ on Dave’s voicemail after getting drunk was such a sweet moment of closure and pain, as Gretta let go of her frustration and confused feelings. Knightley’s voice wasn’t anything special, but the melodies and genre played into this to focus more on the lyrics themselves and less on requiring vocal gymnastics. Even Levine’s vocals were largely understated and melted into the soothing soundtrack that definitely had mainstream appeal.

Carney’s script was also brilliantly wrapped in heartfelt, thoughtful and powerfully simplistic themes and dialogue. The rapport between Knightley and Ruffalo was dynamic, and developed quite a natural rhythm that mixed old friend banter with arguments about life and authenticity in music. Chummy British muso pal Steve (James Corden) was a hilarious injection of support and fun; with some of the funniest lines in the film. It had a distinct warmth and heart built in on the back of a focus on friendships and the connections between people.

Whether it’s repairing old connections or making a decision to burn a bridge, there are key partnerships that Carney peeled back and investigated with a striking degree of vulnerability and raw humanity. Dan and Gretta are both kindred musical spirits; both looking for hope and a new start. From swapping tunes on NYC’s streets; guilty pleasures and all, to providing some support and cold hard truths, there’s no sense that this could evolve into anything romantic yet their impact on the other’s lives was truly a unique bond. Gretta also became the ‘cool aunt’ to Steinfeld’s sassy yet insecure Violet, and their scenes were surprisingly heart-melting moments of female comradery. Conversely, the tumultuous death of Gretta and Dave’s relationship is more heartbreaking to watch. Whilst their intense musical connection is a strong hope still holding them together, there was so much pulling them apart and the empowerment that Gretta gained from processing that was sincerely inspiring without being too clique.

Begin Again oozed offbeat charm and strong dramatic lead performances. Watching healing unfold through music, friendship and family was an easy experience, and with a lyrically intricate soundtrack it’s one of those hidden gems that is touching from the first moment.

9/10, 4.5 STARS

Thanks for reading,

Love and singing on the streets of New York, Emily 🎹