Begin Again was previously titled 'Can A Song Save Your Life,' (a name rather pretentious for the type of movie it is) but the new name is a lot more appropriate. Directed by John Carney who has dabbled in a music based film before with Once (I have not seen it but have heard good things) brings us a film that contains every cliché in the book but actually handles them quite well especially with the charismatic cast he has brought together. It stars Mark Ruffalo, Keira Knightley, James Corden, Hailee Steinfeld, Adam Levine, Mos Def and Catherine Keener.
Begin Again follows Dan Mulligan (Ruffalo) a struggling record label executive who is tired of the way his business partner has been talking their company. Unfortunately Dan hasn't been doing much for the company other than being a face and after making a scene he is fired. After getting drunk (a state he is constantly in) he stumbles across Gretta (Knightley) who is singing in a bar he rediscovers his passion for music and embarks on a journey to make her an uncompromising musical artist.
Along with that you have marital problems, a rebellious and misunderstood daughter, a heart breaker rock star boyfriend and music movie cliché after music movie cliché. But clichés aren't always bad things, there's a reason why they became clichés in the first place; they work. Though it isn't inspired the cast make the well known beats compelling and if you're an artistic type (I'm a filmmaker) you can't help but be inspired to get out there and create your art. It also helps when you have really good music by Gregg Alexander.
Ruffalo and Knightley are extremely charismatic and the whole cast is solid. Even Maroon 5 front man Adam Levine gives a compelling performance. I also like how the film doesn't go the conventional routes with it's romantic relationships and is able to to something different with them. It's an earnest and well intentioned film and even though it goes down familiar roads it still manages to be engaging. The film also features lovely cinematography though there are times when the handheld does get a bit distracting.
John Carney hasn't made anything ground breaking or even that unique with Begin Again but he has created a well made and endearing film with a pretty sweet soundtrack and engaging cast. Those of you just looking for something, sweet, inspiring and uplifting will find this film to your liking; I liked it too though it doesn't do anything that hasn't been done before (lets face nothing these days has) and it doesn't put a unique enough spin on it either or create it's own voice (sorry couldn't help but use the pun). In the end I found it to be a good film, not one I'd be likely to re-watch any time soon but definitely one I can recommend to people looking for a break from the current blockbusters or just looking for some good music.
3 1/2 out of 5 stars.
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