FilmSnobReviews

Title: Begin Again
MPAA Rating: R
Director: John Carney
Starring: Mark Ruffalo, Kiera Knightley, Hailee Steinfeld
Runtime: 1 hr 44 mins

What It Is?: Down on his luck record label exec, and A&R man Steve (Ruffalo) just lost said A&R job, and while drowning his sorrows at a local watering hole. While he’s there he hears a terrific song entitled “Lost Stars” from a song-writer named Greta (Knightley). Greta is an ex-girlfriend to a super star singer Dave Kohl (Maroon 5’s Adam Levine)and they’ve just split up due to his infidelity. That’s why she’s in that very same bar, singing this very song. Upon hearing it Steve is smitten with the song, and its performers potential. Maybe this is the thing that’ll get him back on the game.

What We Think: The music in this film is fantastic. Who knew Kiera Knightley had chops like that? Strong performance from Knightley as well as Ruffalo makes you care about the characters, and unlike most romantic films you don’t want the two lead to get together, but you know that each is the others key to finding happiness both with themselves and the people or persons that have wronged them. Guardians had a great OST, but I’d venture to say this one is slightly better, and doesn’t rely as much on licensed music. The injection of musicians Cee Lo Green and Adam Levine doesn’t hurt the film, and instead lends authenticity.

Our Grade: A+, Man I am in love with this film. Knightley shines in another small project much the way she did with Steve Carrell in Seeking a Friend For the End of the World Ruffalo makes a great down on his lick drunkard, even the smaller roles by great actors in Catherine Keener and Hailee Steinfeld aren’t completely lost and without merit. What makes this film great is that Carney, once again understands his characters. He knows their vulnerabilities and shines light on these incredibly flawed people that you cannot help but love. See this, buy the soundtrack, which I happen to be listening to as I write this. So good!