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Jul 02, 2014 By Austin Trunick Web Exclusive

From one angle, Begin Again can be viewed as a meta-sequel to writer-director John Carney’s earlier music film, Once. In the newer movie, songwriting (and romantic) partners Gretta (Keira Knightley) and Dave (Adam Levine) are flown to New York to meet with record executives after the songs Dave wrote for a film turn into huge hits. They’re more interested in him, though, than his girlfriend and creative muse; Dave becomes a big star, and Gretta eventually finds herself striking out on her own in New York City.

An earlier, working title for Begin Again was “Can A Song Save Your Life?”, which seems tailored more toward Mark Ruffalo’s character. He plays Dan Mulligan, a Rick Rubin-esque producer and co-founder of a well-regarded, independent hip-hop label. He’s fell on hard times since his early ‘90s heyday; he’s separated from his wife (Catherine Keener) and daughter (Hailee Steinfeld) following a mental breakdown, and has picked up a self-destructive drinking habit. When we meet him, he’s being ousted from his position at the label he started—his partner (Mos Def) points out that it’s been years since any of the artists he’s signed have hit it big—and at the proverbial end of his rope. Following a nearly-suicidal bender, he stumbles into Arlene’s Grocery, where Gretta nervously plays an open mic. Her song, for all intents and purposes, saves his life; in a visually cool sequence, he envisions musician-less instruments playing accompaniment behind her. Dan knows he’s finally found his new hit artist.

The film follows how these two characters help each other through life’s rough patches. Thankfully Begin Again doesn’t take the predictable routes; it seems to actively reject the easy romantic tropes. (That is, save for a hokey, tacked-on coda which plays as the credits roll—you’ll really wish they’d left that out and let the ending stand as-was.) Viewers having a hard time picturing Keira Knightley as a singer-songwriter should have their fears abated; she handles her songs well enough. Begin Again is perhaps too forcefully uplifting, but it takes a refreshing angle on the romantic musical.

www.beginagainfilm.com

Author rating: 6/10