Begin Again debuted in the US April 2014 at the Tribeca Film Festival, played at my local independent theatre, and I finally just watched it on Showtime. I don’t know why I waited this long as this movie is a love letter to NYC and independent music, which is the perfect film for me.
The whole time I was watching Begin Again, I thought, this really reminds me of the film Once, and I was not that surprised to see the film’s writer and director was John Carney, who directed Once.
Begin Again tells the story of Dan (Mark Ruffalo) and Gretta (Keira Knightley) who meet just after Dan has been fired from his own record label and Gretta has been dumped by her rock star boyfriend Dave (Adam Levine.) Gretta is a singer-songwriter and Dan decides to revive them both by recording her album outside in NYC.
The love letter to NYC is apparent in the choice of locales for Gretta’s album, including the Bethesda Fountain, the subway, and a rooftop in front of The Empire State Building. A lovely montage also succeeds when Dan And Gretta wander NYC listening to Gretta’s favorite songs through an earphone splitter.
There is great chemistry between Dan and Gretta and I kept wondering if there would be a romance. I won’t spoil anything, but I was satisfied. Begin Again is a sweet film, and if you love independent music and NYC you will really love it.
jillypopmusic 