Direction – John Carney
Production – Anthony Bregman, Tobin Armbrust, Judd Apatow
Story – John Carney
Starring – Keira Knightley, Mark Ruffalo, Adam Levine, Hailee Steinfeld, James Corden
Music – Gregg Alexander
Release Dates – 2nd July, 2014
Begin Again is a Hollywood film directed by John Carney and produced by Bregman, Tobin Armbrust, Judd Apatow starring Keira Knightley, Mark Ruffalo, Adam Levine, Hailee Steinfeld, James Corden.
The film by John Carney is a slight disappoint, considering his earlier hit musical “Once”. However, “Begin again” is a good entertainer but you will have to forget the fact that it is more like “once” while watching it.
Keira Knightley as Gretta gives a beautiful portrayal of a lovelorn and heartbroken character. The plot is all about two individuals in the music industry, Dan(Mark Ruffalo) and Gretta (Keira Knightley) who wind up together because of their common interest and passion.
Dan was a successful music executive who had given many wonderful artists, recognition in the music industry. But his old jaguar tells us that it was all in the past. He is fired because he hasn’t introduced any artist for the last 7 years and he is estranged with his wife. He then becomes an alcoholic.
Gretta had moved in to the United States to support her rock star boyfriend. But as stereotyped, her boyfriend Dave (Adam Levine) leaves her once his career takes a high. In a local bar, she takes up singing and that is where two poles meet each other.
Initially, Gretta declines Dan’s offer because she thinks that music should not be sold. But the next day she has a change of heart and calls him. Together they compose music in the streets of New York and gretta goes on to become a successful musician. Her songs are all a hit.
In a twist and turn of events, you can see Gretta going back slowly to Dave who is also very much interested in her at this time. Similarly, Dan’s wife also comes back to him. Now this is a slightly disappointing direction in the plot considering the fact that Dan and Gretta share a wonderful chemistry in the movie. In the end, Gretta tells Dan that she wants her music to be sold online. The next day, Dan is informed that Gretta songs were downloaded 10,000 times in a single night.
Verdict:
The plot is weak, but the characters are strong. The chemistry between the two leads is excellent. Adam Levine does his debut character with easy grace and fits the role perfectly. And for Keira Knightley’s singing, she sounds a bit like Colbie Caillat but it is fine.