Born out of the creative mind of John Carney – the writer and director of the Academy Award winning Once – comes another musical in the form of Begin Again, though while the aforementioned title was nauseatingly mawkish at the best of times, this has counteracted such flaws with an injection of cynicism, instead taking a somewhat barbed look at the music industry, and celebrating a more unalloyed form of contemporary expression.
Mark Ruffalo plays Dan, a disgruntled producer, demoralised by the lack of innovation and talent in a slowly decaying industry, where superficiality prevails. However upon stumbling into a small bar hosting an open mic night, he hears Greta (Keira Knightley) perform one of her tracks, and instantly his passion for music returns, as he desperately seeks in making her a star. Though given the singer’s traumatising relationship with popular musician Dave (Adam Levine), she’s somewhat reluctant to follow a similar path. However with the support of her best friend Steve (James Corden) and watching on as Dan is inspired to turn his life around and reconnect with his daughter Violet (Hailee Steinfeld), she may just be convinced to give it a go.
The film’s opening (that of Greta performing her song at the bar) is inventively reenacted on three occasions, from differing characters perspectives, as we learn of how they came to be in this very moment. Though sadly such ingenuity isn’t prolonged, as the film eventually enters into somewhat tedious territory, growing increasingly more conventional as we progress towards the latter stages. However where this film triumphs, is in the music itself. So often with features documenting the imminent musical success of a character, the tracks simply aren’t good enough, making the entire narrative, and their rise in popularity, a challenge to adhere to, such as recent releases Goddess and Benny & Jolene. In Begin Again, whether the music is to your taste or not, it’s catchy and you can appreciate that it would have an audience, which is significantly beneficial to proceedings.
What also helps, is the leading performance by Ruffalo, who is so natural and affable as the protagonist, preventing this film from becoming unbearable, which, given the nature of the piece, is always a possibility. He just plays an everyman with a unique believability, as he’s able to be so understated. His scenes with Steinfeld prove to be the more engrossing of the piece as a result, helped along by a brilliantly subtle performance from the gifted young actress also, playing a stroppy teenager without overplaying the role at all. However in spite of the commendable performances, comes a distinct, palpable lack of character development. Each role has their own demons to overcome, such as Dan’s alcoholism, for instance, and yet they just aren’t explored or resolved sufficiently.
For what is essentially a quite predictable endeavour for Carney, Begin Again does certainly throw in the odd surprise or two, particularly where the romantic narrative is concerned. Thankfully, we deviate away from the all too obvious coming together between Dan and Greta, which is refreshing in an industry that otherwise seems hellbent in implementing love stories at any given opportunity. It’s a brave move for the filmmaker, but what is also brave, is to play Luck Be a Lady and As Time Goes By, from one of the finest ever musicals in Guys and Dolls and romantic dramas in Casablanca, respectively, doing very little but remind us that this is not quite anywhere near as good as either. It’s a worthy effort, mind.
