Life In Harmony

Begin Again

Music can be a powerful thing. I’m sure that you all have heard that somewhere by someone. Though, I think those word have a very powerful meaning. The lyrics in songs can change someone’s day in an instant. Having a bad day and you think everything is going to hell and then you hear Jackson 5’s A-B-C and your foot begins to tap with a sudden uncontrollable urge to dance. Yes, that actually happened to me. For a lot of people music is their life and in 2013, The Weinstein Company released a film that shows audiences just how true that is with Begin Again.

Meet Dan (Mark Ruffalo Avengers: Age of Ultron): Dan is a once great independent music producer that has lost is way. Living in a crappy New York City apartment, away from his estranged wife and teenage daughter, Dan has just lost his job and is wondering around New York drinking himself silly. While on this binge, Dan wanders into a small hole in the wall bar that is having an open-mic night. Then it happens, Dan hears the something he can only describe as magical. He hears Gretta (Keira Knightley The Imitation Game) singing one of her original songs.

Meet Gretta: Gretta is an English singer/songwriter that has come along with her semi-famous musician of a boyfriend, Dave (Adam Levine), to New York. After standing by his side quite nobly, Dave is summoned to Los Angeles where he has found inspiration for a song. However, that inspiration does not come from Gretta, but from another woman. Heartbroken and distraught, Gretta finds solace from a friend living in the city. This is the same friend that drags her to an open-mic night, where fate is about to collide.

I don’t know if you have ever watched a movie and been ever so engrossed with the plot and the characters that you just release yourself into the ride. That is exactly how it was from me and Begin Again. This isn’t an Oscar-worthy, culture changing movie but this is a sweet, feel good movie that so brilliantly takes you on a musical journey. This movie is very well put together with the wonderful acting and the amazing music. I believe that it is the pure charm that hypnotized me and allowed me to just let go and immerse myself in these characters.

Keira Knightley has become so splendid at creating characters that are so easy to fall in love with. Gretta is an optimistic and truly genuine character that after spending five minutes with her, you can’t help but care for her. Knightley so delicately intertwines that positiveness with her sadness. Her co-star, Ruffalo, has somehow created a likable drunk. Ruffalo gives audiences an arrogant, yet appealing character and I admire him for it. That is no easy task because Ruffalo finds the happy medium between annoying and enjoyable. Together, these two actors craft an outstanding team. They have awesome chemistry and such great energy when they are on screen.

Writer and director John Carney (Once) is the mastermind behind this delightful indie film. Carney so marvelously produces a film that is very realistic and heartfelt. He is able to tell his story with both his words and the music that accompanies this movie. Carney doesn’t revolutionizes anything within the film industry, however it is his passion for this movie that shines so brightly through that you can’t help but fall in love with these characters.

As I have said, this isn’t a life altering movie that needs to be placed on the top of anyone’s list. I do think that this is a great uplifting movie that dares you not to smile just a little bit. Knightley and Ruffalo make an endearing pair that came together by fate, just like their characters. I highly recommend this film to all the couples out there looking just to relax and enjoy a romantic and harmonious date night.

The Verdict: Worth Your Time.