Movie Review: Begin Again (2013)

Begin Again (2013)
Exclusive Media Group, Sycamore Pictures, Apatow Productions, Likely Story, USA, 2013.

Alcoholic music mogul Dan Mulligan (Mark Ruffalo) is frustrated because finding new talents is more difficult every year. He gets fired from his record company and decides to spend some time with with his estranged daughter Violet (Hailee Steinfeld). It does not go well and Dan continues boozing.

Dan

In a bar he hears indie singer Gretta (Keira Knightley) performing her song. Gretta has just separated from his boyfriend Dave (Adam Levine) who became a famous artist. Now homeless Gretta has temporarily moved to his old friend Steve (James Corden). Dan begins to arrange a recording deal for Gretta. He needs to find musicians for her band and there his contacts and professionalism come in handy. Also one of Dan's talents Troublegum (Ceelo Green) promises to fund the project. At the same time Gretta and Dan try to help each other pull their lives back together.

Gretta and Dave

Steve

Troublegum

"Begin Again" is a nice feel-good music drama that surprises positively. The production of Gretta's album utilizes nicely locations in New York. Ruffalo and Knightley have good chemistry as two different generation music enthusiastics with different backgrounds and problems. Also the production of the album looks fun and creative. The story is quite simple but sympathetic and Knightley has credibility as indie musician.

Rating: Very good

Starring: James Corden, Keira Knightley, Mark Ruffalo, Hailee Steinfeld, Yasiin Bey, Karen Pittman, Paul Romero, Catherine Keener, Andrew Sellon, Ed Renninger, Adam Levine, Marco Assante, Mary Catherine Garrison, Jen Jacob, Rob Morrow, Jennifer Li Jackson, Ian Brodsky, Shannon Walsh, David Abeles, Ann McGowan, Ron Voz, CeeLo Green, Kena Onyenjekwe, Harvey Morris, Terry Lewis, Colin Love, Jimmy Palumbo, Simon Delaney, Danielle Brisebois, Keen Ruffalo, Melissa Maria Gonzalez, Nicholas Daniel Gonzalez, Maddie Corman, Aya Cash, David Pendleton, Joanna Mauer, Erik Detusch, Rich Mercurio, Emilie Cardinaux, Curtis Fowlkes, Emily Yarbourgh, Erin Benin, Alexis Sykes, Julia Bruskin, Justin Chauncey

Director: John Carney