Begin Again (Carney, 2014)

As soon as I walked out of the theater, I bought the soundtrack to Begin Again.

I didn't just get it because the music was really well done. Nor did I get it because Keira Knightley is an exceptional singer, and Adam Levine continues to amaze. And buying it because it encapsulates the mood of the movie so well was, at best, a minor reason.

I bought the soundtrack because I never wanted to forget the mesmerizing experience of watching Begin Again.

From director John Carney, who started into the musical-drama genre with 2006's Once, again delivers an addicting story about life, love, and the influence a song can have on someone's life. Begin Again offers a necessary break in a summer filled with sequels and box office explosions, by giving viewers a romantic drama that features fantastic performances, an escapist screenplay, and a stuck-in-your-head soundtrack.

Keira Knightley and Mark Ruffalo star as the film's protagonists, who meet each other purely by coincidence at a bar in New York City. Knightley's Gretta is having trouble adjusting after her boyfriend of many years (Adam Levine) leaves her for another woman, consumed by the spotlight of his recent rise to stardom. She herself is a talented guitar player, singer, and songwriter, who plays at a bar for one random song that Ruffalo's Dan just happens to hear. He is getting over a bad divorce, and is having to deal with his daughter's (Hailee Steinfeld) rebellious phase and a record company he founded wanting to fire him.

Gretta and Dan decide to team up, and go against the normal music studio system. They find a band made of misfits and bored musicians, and they decide to self-produce their own album. Dan decides to take a unique approach, by recording outside in various places around New York City. The result is a beautiful love letter to the Big Apple, and a look at what's truly important for these characters. It demonstrates that it's more than possible to start over in a world full of second chances.

Keira Knightley does not work nearly enough as she ought to, because in Begin Again she again delivers a startling performance, able to encompass the wide range of realistic emotions her character experiences. Plus, she's one heck of a singer; I highly encourage you to wait to hear her until she performs in the first scene of the movie, because you'll be blown away by what this actress can accomplish.

Mark Ruffalo is finally getting more recognition in his post-Avengers fame, and he brings his diversity to this role. He's not the most handsome man, nor is he anyone's Prince Charming; instead, he brings to the table a true-to-life man that has to overcome more problems than he can handle. His chemistry with Knightley is indelible, and you can see the sparks flying in some of their great scenes together. They argue about the authenticity of artists today, discuss the capitalist music industry, and share an unforgettable walk through New York City at night, listening to their individual playlists together.

Adam Levine, for a singer, is actually a pretty good actor. He provides a believable performance that's part him, and part someone else entirely. His character will surprise you the most throughout the movie. The other actors do some great work here, but the one quality they all have in common is that they seem to be having fun. Their smiles seem real, their work seems authentic, and they just appear to be having the time of their lives. Their infectious bliss puts a smile on your face the whole time.

There's also a very subtle satire in Begin Again, showing the awfulness of most modern music. The scene of Dan listening to some demos in his car is hysterical, and Carney knows it. Gretta's music and lyrics are so much better than what's considered popular, and the director encourages viewers to try and listen to some non-mainstream music, as it may prove more satisfactory than yet another rendition of a four-beat dance. Of course, this brings to question Adam Levine and CeeLo Green's involvement in the picture: are they encouraging better music themselves, or are they apologizing for submitting to what audiences want instead of working for the music? An intriguing set of questions that makes you appreciate Begin Again and its soundtrack even more.

The screenplay and dialogue are quite well done, and even though this is clearly an optimistic outlook on life, it's one certainly grounded in reality. The camerawork is part stedicam, part shaky cam, which makes me think the director wants to evoke the fantasy elements in everyday life, making some parts brutally honest, and others obvious escapism. The ending in particular is not typical of most Hollywood films. It will leave some viewers upset, but others like me will be very satisfied to see someone dare to end a movie differently.

All of this comes through in the music, which features some truly amazing original songs. Here's hoping the Academy recognizes this movie in many categories, but at least mentions "Lost Stars", "Tell Me if You Wanna Go Home", "Like a Fool", "Coming Up Roses", and "A Step You Can't Take Back" in the Best Original Song category. Listen to the work of Keira Knightley for sheer talent, but also pay special attention to the way Adam Levine invokes his character, and not himself, in the album. It's really special for such an established singer to do that.

I had a truly magical time watching the action of Begin Again unfold on screen. It made me smile throughout, and I was very sad to see it end. I enjoyed all the little references to some major films like Casablanca and Jerry Maguire, and appreciated the messages about being yourself without caring what others think. The love elements made me very happy, because they seemed real with the great chemistry between Knightley and Ruffalo. But most of all, this is a fun and joyful celebration of life itself. It shows the power of family, the power of friends, and the power of beginning again.