LOVED this movie. It was magical. Keira Knightley and Mark Ruffalo are both absolutely lovely and I loved their characters, and the entire supporting cast shines (particularly Hailee Steinfeld, James Corden and Adam Levine - in a role that has more depth than one would expect in a storyline like this). The ending was beautiful. I hope Keira is in the awards conversation for her work in this - she's guaranteed a Golden Globe nomination at least, IMO. And the songs are all excellent - I want to buy the soundtrack right away, and the musical sequences are some of the richest and most compelling moments in the movie (the big moment near the end with Hailee Steinfeld was PERFECT). There's absolutely no way this won't be on my top ten at the end of the year, and it's currently my favorite movie of 2014 thus far. A true love letter to New York City and an all-around exhilarating experience. A

If Weinstein plays their cards right they have a major summer sleeper on their hands. This is a totally mainstream-accessible crowdpleaser, and the soundtrack should definitely sell well too.

Really quite enjoyable. I kinda think Ruffalo and Knightley's characters aren't really developed that well but there's a lot to enjoy here. The ending's weird though (the abruptness and then oop scenes that play during the credits), like it was attached last minute.

I loved the ending. I thought it was beautiful and effective. I don't think the version I saw at Tribeca had anything in the end credits.

By the way, bought the soundtrack for this on Tuesday after having the songs in my head for months

The theatrical version of the film ends with a closeup of Keira Knightley's face as she bicycles away from the Adam Levine character's gig at the Gramercy. Then, over the credits, there is a scene where she decides to self-release her album online for $1.

Oh, right. That was in there.

Overflowing with character, joy, melancholy, and music, Begin Again is a delightful romantic comedy-drama perfect for summertime viewing. It is the new film by John Carney, the Irish writer and director who made a splash seven years ago with the independent sleeper hit Once. He again explores the intersection of life, love, music, and urban life, but in a more accessible and studio-polished way this time as he transitions from his native Dublin to the Big Apple.

The story begins as the two main characters are set adrift by awful circumstance and the volatility of modern life. Dan, played with anxious, down-at-heel charm by Mark Ruffalo, is a respected record-label executive whose previously red-hot career has fractured due to alcohol and domestic strife. Singer/songwriter Gretta, played by Keira Knightley in a captivating and warm performance, is set to return to England with her head hung low after her now-famous significant other (Maroon 5's Adam Levine in his satisfactory acting debut, lampooning his own stadium-pop celebrity) proves unfaithful. Dan and Gretta find each other by chance in a bar, and she hesitantly agrees to let him produce a record for her. The project, which finds them recording around the city for an open-air atmosphere, becomes a shared vehicle for redemption and transcendence.

With care and sympathy, it draws the audience into the world and plights of the characters. As a result, we the audience truly and earnestly root for Dan and Gretta to achieve creative and personal satisfaction. There is an organic and relaxed quality (to the performances as well as the hand-held, on-the-fly aesthetic) which compensates for certain beats of genre predictability. In the tradition of Lost in Translation, the obvious charge of romantic heat shared by the Knightley and Ruffalo characters is wisely hinted at, but never let to ignite. An enviable roster of peripheral players, including Hailee Steinfeld, Yasiin "Mos Def" Bey, Catherine Keener, and frequent scene stealer James Corden, lend the film depth and diversity, and the musical performances are elevated by crisp pop craftsmanship and, in one of the year's most welcome surprises, unexpectedly spot-on vocal performances by Knightley.

A-

Can't wait to see this again. It's so delightful.

A highly charming ode to music and the city. I enjoyed its simplicity and its unmistakable beating heart. The cast is quite good all around, especially Keira Knightley in possibly her most luminous performance to date (and I also really enjoyed Adam Levine lol). B+

On one hand, this a perfectly entertaining adult summer film. It should have excellent word of mouth and should have staying power for the rest of the summer. On the other hand, as a massive film of John Carney's film Once, I couldn't help but be a little disappointed. All the performances are very good and like I said, it is very entertaining but I never felt fully invested in the story. I was entertained and enjoyed myself immensely but I didn't leave the theater feeling moved.

That being said, I definitely recommend it. It's a nice little movie to see when you are sick of all of the big budget summer tent poles taking up the majority of screens in your multiplex. I just expected a little more.

B+

surprisingly likeable. credit ruffalo.

Heh - - Begin Again worked like a charm on me!

Of course, I fell for Keira Knightley long, long ago... from Domino to Love Actually to The Jacket - - and here she carries the whole thing with the full power of her talent seething under tight restraint. She's simply terrific in Begin Again!

The place holder they got for the male lead actually was a little less bad this time out, he's already practically playing a grandpa role here, so perhaps his career endgame will treat him well.

The songs were perfect in their roles in the film, though I doubt I'd be listening to them in their street clothes.

Yep, it's really quite inspiring - - Begin Again has just the right mix of cheese and earnestness to really sing!


18 out of 5.

Very charming film! Knightley is lovely. Total crowd-pleaser. Weinstein mis-handled this film. Should have been a much bigger hit.

Now I need to get the soundtrack.

9/10 (A-)

B, expected more but good

While it's not on the same level as Once, John Carney's directorial follow-up is enjoyable in how refreshingly low-key it is. Although the dramatic stakes are never very high, the characters are grounded, and the film's simple theme about the redemptive power of second chances (which is right there in the title) is quietly powerful. Keira Knightley does what has to be some of the most surprising work of her career in a role in which she succeeds not only in being almost as charming as she's ever been onscreen, but also in performing numerous songs onscreen. Mark Ruffalo is also as welcome a presence as ever, which goes a long way toward making his character a sympathetic figure for the audience. And of course, as could be expected with Carney's involvement, the music is terrific. Although this summer has seen some very good blockbusters, there hasn't been a lot in the way of quality small-scale counterprogramming; in this regard, Begin Again fills the void quite admirably.

B+

Absolutely adored it. I love how Knightley is getting into doing these kinds of films despite all the great she has done in the past, and this will only let her career grow more. Her and Ruffalo work really well together. While you can say not a lot happens in the main story between them, or rather that it's basic, the non-linear take at the beginning and their experiences in real time are just a joy to watch. Also, I too want to pick up the soundtrack because the music was so good.

Loved it! Enjoyable, breezy, feel good flick.

Veto.

Are you disagreeing with him? Or did you mean ditto?

This was really good! Keira Knightley has a surprisingly good voice and it was an interesting angle to tell a story from. The film is brought down by the unnecessary divorced parents father bonds with daughter he doesn't know over music plotline, even though the roles are delightfully played by Catherine Keener and Hailee Steinfeld. Lost Stars was a really good song, which means that Glory is at best the third best song from a movie of 2014.

B+

this movie. It was easily one of my top five favorites of last year, and Keira really deserved more acclaim for her work here. In an incredibly strong year for her overall, I felt this was her best performance.

This movie is so wonderful. Never miss the chance to sing its praises. Just rewatched it.

I watched it last year. It's a shame that the two leads were not nominated for this.