Begin Again, Review
Begin Again
Almost all the characters in Begin Again are losers, and in the end…sublime love prevails…no spoilers here!
The film has an Adults Only rating in India, which seems a bit harsh. Some mutes, some beeps, a couple of more snips (a couple are noticed as jerks on screen) and it should have managed a UA (persons below 18 allowed if accompanied by adults).
The latest film from Irish writer-director John Carney (Once), Begin Again is a musical (as about the music recording industry) comedy. Gretta (Keira Knightley, the extra t in Gretta comes courtesy the synopsis) and her long-time boyfriend Dave (Adam Levine) are college sweethearts and songwriting partners who move to New York when he lands a deal with a major label. But his new-found fame soon tempts Dave to stray (a scene wonderfully done), and a reeling, lovelorn Gretta is left on her own. Her world takes a turn for the better when Dan (Mark Ruffalo), a divorcee down and out record-label Artiste and Repertoire executive, stumbles upon her performing near a subway station in an open-mike session, and is immediately captivated by her raw talent.
Once--which starred Glen Hansard of the Irish band The Frames and Markéta Irglová, neither of whom had acted professionally before — was shot without much fanfare over 17 days for the equivalent of around $160,000. Director Carney, a bassist for The Frames in the early 1990s, famously shot street scenes with a long lens because he didn’t have permits. But despite its humble beginnings, the movie struck a chord with American audiences and earned an Academy Award for Best Original Song for Falling Slowly. In Begin Again too, the team actually shoots the songs outdoors, without permission, guerilla-style, much to the discomfort of neighbours and the police.
Keira Knightley earned Academy Award and Golden Globe Award nominations for her portrayal of Elizabeth Bennet in Joe Wright’s Pride & Prejudice, and worked with him again in Atonement and Anna Karenina. She has a disarming smile, wide eyes, an unusual lower jaw and stagey, clear diction. Carney thrusts her character as someone who almost always says a surprised “No” first, but soon changes it to a “Yes” within milliseconds. Academy Award nominee Mark Ruffalo has worked with directors like Ang Lee, Martin Scorsese, Michael Mann and Spike Jonze. Ruffalo was recently seen in The Avengers, in which he portrayed Bruce Banner and his alter ego the Incredible Hulk. It is a vastly removed role here. He comes across as a lovable, credible bum.
As Dan’s daughter Violet, Hailee Steinfeld is a beautiful sight. Her character is not fully convincing, yet she lights up the screen with her sheer presence. Steinfeld received an Oscar nomination for her scene-stealing feature film debut performance in the Coen Brothers’ acclaimed True Grit, where she appeared opposite Jeff Bridges and Matt Damon. Dave is played by Adam Levine, the front man of Grammy Award-winning recording artiste Maroon 5. Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Levine first connected with Maroon 5 members Jesse Carmichael and Mickey Madden while attending Brentwood School in Los Angeles. Stiff in some scenes, Levine fills the bill as the good-looking singing-star who swings between choices that affect personal life and career moves. Good use is made of his singing talent.
Writer-director John Carney has aptly titled the film, for it is indeed about new beginnings for almost all the persons on screen. The bringing together of father and daughter and the father playing base guitar towards the end is not so smooth. Songs are indeed “rock meets punk” as described by Dan in the film, more rock, less punk. But what is commendable is that they are not only audible, but, by and large, comprehensible too. He ends the film with Knightley on a bicycle…wheels within wheels.
Rating: ***
