Begin Again (dir. John Carney, USA, 2013)

Last updated on: August 5, 2014 at 4:05 pm by Andrew Spitznas

Begin Again (dir. John Carney, USA, 2013) 2014-08-05T16:05:38-06:00 Andrew Spitznas

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

(Many thanks to Rebecca for giving me a trial run as film critic here at Patheos. In adding an atheist/secular humanist into the mix, I appreciate her willingness to diversify her writing crew. If you want to learn more about me, please check out my bio. But for now, let’s talk about movies!)

If I were a writer of old school SAT questions, I might claim that Begin Again is to the music industry as Mr. Smith Goes to Washington is to American politics. Looking beyond this fantasy element, however, Begin Again is a delightful film about a handful of people groping their way through life’s challenges, with lots of help from creativity and community.

By way of cleverly interweaving flashbacks, we learn that the movie’s two main characters have each weathered a crushing day leading up to their chance meeting in an NYC coffeehouse. Dan (Mark Ruffalo) – already separated from his wife, estranged from his teen daughter, and abusing alcohol – was just fired from the indie record company he co-founded. Meanwhile, Gretta (Keira Knightley) hours ago discovered that her boyfriend of 5 years is cheating on her.

When Dan hears Gretta sing a simple tune about being alone in the city, his talent scout skills jolt to life. In an inspired piece of audiovisual work by director John Carney, Dan starts to imagine guitar-strumming Gretta accompanied by other instruments. As if played by invisible musicians, piano keys depress, and bows move across cello and violin.

In the following days, Dan persuades Gretta to record her compositions, and in turn she convinces him to produce her album. Next, they recruit a number of talented but obscure musicians. And in an effort to save studio costs and pay tribute to the beautiful mess that is New York City, they elect to record out of doors and all over town, incorporating the ambient noise of sirens and irritated neighbors into their songs.

If all of this sounds like a disastrous mix of clichés, a messy pastiche of Blues Brothers and Partridge Family, Begin Again manages to rise far above it. Carney, who also wrote the screenplay, has created characters with depth and flawed, warm humanity. His solid supporting cast includes Catherine Keener as Dan’s estranged wife and Hailee Steinfeld as the daughter longing for her MIA dad. CeeLo Green has a small but winsome role as Troublegum, a now-wealthy musician long ago discovered by Dan, who gratefully aids a friend in need. And New York City plays a very satisfying part, too, lovely through its grit and soulfully distinctive boroughs, whether in summery brightness, the gloaming, or reflective nighttime.

Ruffalo inhabits his character very satisfyingly, but Knightley definitely steals the show. She convinced me a couple of years ago of her thespian gravitas as Carl Jung’s deeply troubled yet brilliant patient in A Dangerous Method. In Begin Again, she successfully channels Audrey Hepburn’s angular beauty, idealism, passion, and classy charm.

Unlike Hepburn, Knightley really can sing, helping to make this filmscore one of the best of 2014. Carney’s dynamic camera movement and closeups convincingly reveal the joy of ensemble performances when they click. As Gretta’s band performs in alleyways, subway stations, and on building tops, my toe tapped along to the infectious exuberance of their folk pop.

I liked, too, how the camera persistently returns to a splitter hanging off Dan’s rearview mirror. This small piece of equipment allows two headphones to plug into a single input, so a pair of listeners hear the same music. What a pleasingly subtle bit of symbolism for the uniting power of art.

My biggest regret about this movie is the change in its title, originally shown last year on the festival circuit as Can a Song Save Your Life? This earlier catchier title communicates the healing, transforming effect of creative works. Perhaps someday I’ll write here about the power upon my own life of such varied films as The Way, Red Beard, and Inception. No doubt each of you could also relate similar tales about personally meaningful movies or songs, even if they didn’t save your life.

(Begin Again is rated R for language. As a parent, I’d be comfortable taking my mid-range teens to see this film.)

4 out of 5 stars

Previous Post

August 2, 2014

The Collapse of the Comic Book Movie

Next Post

August 5, 2014 Interview: New Details on Jeff Bridges' Home 'Giver' Movie Starring His Father

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Becky's Picks Children's Movies DVD releases Entertainment News Faith on Film Featured Hunger Games In Theaters Interviews Life, Etc. Mixed Nuts Movie Reviews Poliflix Scroogewatch slider Television Uncategorized

Select a Month December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 April 2011 March 2011

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

In Revelation, what does the rider on the white horse have coming out of his mouth?

Select your answer to see how you score.

The word of God Words of judgment Fire A sharp sword