Before watching Begin Again, I have to admit I was afraid of finding yet another cheaply sentimental film about starting over in your life thanks to the sound of music. I haven’t seen any of John Carney’s films, the poster and the title came across as too generic, and the alternative title, Can a Song Save Your Life?, sounded even worse. But I do find Keira Knightley, Mark Ruffalo, and Catherine Keener to be accomplished and very likable actors. So there was hope.
A few minutes into the film, something struck me right away: Begin Again felt like a very honest, true-to-life story narrated with a very balanced tone that alternates comic moments with dramatic ones seamlessly. And the music, which I feared was going to be a gimmick or mere filler, was actually a narrative pillar that moved the story forward and translated the characters’ sentimental and emotional predicaments, their anguish, pleasures and joys in a very emotive, but never corny manner. Perhaps this was only a good beginning, but the story unfolded and it went along the same auspicious road to the very end, including a handful of outstanding scenes.
Begin again takes off with a chance encounter between Dan (Mark Ruffalo) a down-and-out music-business executive and Gretta (Keira Knightley) a young singer-songwriter who’s just arrived in Manhattan. He wants to sign her to a studio to make an album, and so be once again a big-time producer. She doesn’t want anybody to mess with her music, let alone remix it or suggest changes. But since they would honestly die for their music, they decide to team up and see what happens.
Of course, there are also their love lives: she’s recently had a painful break-up, and he’s been separated for some time now. Yet one way or another, neither of them can let the past go. So it’s actually perfect for both to begin again. At least with music, for the time being.
Don’t expect an incredibly intricate story of love, betrayal, love again, more betrayal, success and failure, hits and losses because that’s not how Begin Again is built. In fact, it never goes for big meanings, enlightening messages, Deus ex machina, crucial endings, or melodramatic confrontations. Wisely enough, John Carney opts for a more naturalistic, down-to-earth approach, with the necessary stylization and a welcome layer of romance. Moreover, the performances from the entire cast are both convincing and enticing, even if a bit clichéd when it comes to the producer down on his luck or the successful singer who abandons his girlfriend.
Begin Again is a rare film for it has many elements that could have easily turned it into a forgettable product, and instead it is a gentle, delicate and amusing take on how two people, and perhaps those surrounding them, can actually start their lives over provided they just do the right thing. Which is to follow their hearts.
Production notes:
Begin Again / Can a Song Save Your Life? (USA, 2013). Written and directed by John Carney. With Keira Knightley, Mark Ruffalo, Hailee Steinfeld, Adam Levine, James Corden, CeeLo Green, Catherine Keener, Mos Def. Music: Gregg Alexander. Cinematography: Yaron Orbach. Runnig time: 104 minutes.
