The writer-director of Once returns to the music romance scene, putting Mark Ruffalo in the shoes of a failed exec who happens upon Keira Knightley’s singer-songwriter performing in a bar, having suffered a cold dumping from her now-ex-boyfriend. When he gets an earful of her talents, the pair decides to jumpstart each other’s careers by setting up gigs all around the Manhattan streets. Co-stars Hailee Steinfeld (True Grit), Catherine Keener (Performance) and musicians Mos Def, CeeLo Green and Maroon 5's Adam Levine.
The opening scene of John Carney's Begin Again features a room full of record execs discussing the possibility of putting artist audio commentaries on albums. It's an idea that effectively encapsulates the film's repeatedly evoked “It used to be about the music, maaaaaan” sensibility. Indeed, it often comes across like a disillusioned fan's attempt to save the music industry via an uplifting musical-of-sorts.
Full reviewThe gentle lightning of Once doesn't strike twice for Carney, but his latest music movie has charm beneath its slick surface.
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A large part of the problem is that the music, which is supposed to provide heart, soul and artistic bona fides, ranges from passable to terrible.
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It's all a bit easy - though quite nicely performed - and Knightley is never entirely convincing ...
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Knightley and Ruffalo make for one of the most unusual engaging couples of the year.
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