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10

liederessJul 27, 2014

Begin Again now holds a top spot among my favorite movies. The story evolves into a lovely, graceful celebration about the love between friends. Mark Ruffalo and Keira Knightley excel in creating and shaping characters that you hope to meetBegin Again now holds a top spot among my favorite movies. The story evolves into a lovely, graceful celebration about the love between friends. Mark Ruffalo and Keira Knightley excel in creating and shaping characters that you hope to meet again. James Corden is also a delight!… Expand

5 of 5 users found this helpful50

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7

SpangleJul 2, 2014

Overall, this one feels a bit magical and is quite heart warming. Keira Knightley and Mark Ruffalo are great and their chemistry with one another feels authentic. Hailee Steinfeld is also good in a supporting role here. Adam Levine, at times,Overall, this one feels a bit magical and is quite heart warming. Keira Knightley and Mark Ruffalo are great and their chemistry with one another feels authentic. Hailee Steinfeld is also good in a supporting role here. Adam Levine, at times, shows his inexperience in acting and is severely outclassed, but never really seems like dead weight either. The characters are well put together, the story is told well, and as I just said, the overall experience is a feel good one. Nothing really overly unique and great about the film as a whole, but it works for what it is. However, the one area where the film is phenomenal is in its music. The songs in the film are magical and really click every single time. Watching them record them and then hearing the final product is a fun and enjoyable thing to see and to see them come together and express themselves doing so is another nice touch. Really, everything to do with the music here is pitch perfect.… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

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7

BHBarryJul 13, 2014

"Begin Again: stars Keira Knightley, Mark Ruffalo, Adam Levine, Katherine Keener and Hailey Steinfeld in this film written and directed by John Carney ("Once").
Ms. Knightley comes alive in this film after our having viewed her in so many"Begin Again: stars Keira Knightley, Mark Ruffalo, Adam Levine, Katherine Keener and Hailey Steinfeld in this film written and directed by John Carney ("Once").
Ms. Knightley comes alive in this film after our having viewed her in so many mid 19th Century films as she helps illuminate the streets of Manhattan (where the film takes place) with her stellar performance. . Although her role requires singing, this is obviously not her professional forte. Nevertheless she handles the role nicely. Alas, that’s where the accolades for the film end for the performances of Mark Ruffalo (who always seems to play the same part) and the other performers are hampered by an average script and music that two generations after mine probably love but this writer could do without. Writing and directing the same film is an art and a task not easily carried off. Mr. Carney is no exception here and a somewhat confusing screenplay coupled with less than average musucal performances earn this a 7.5 rating with the 0.5 attributed solely to Ms. Knightley.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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9

fantasyJul 19, 2014

9.5 Run don't walk to see this unpublicized treasury of a movie. These are characters you really care about. The acting is superb and the music outrageously good. John Carney has made a masterpiece and hardly anyone knows about it. I just saw9.5 Run don't walk to see this unpublicized treasury of a movie. These are characters you really care about. The acting is superb and the music outrageously good. John Carney has made a masterpiece and hardly anyone knows about it. I just saw it after being released 3 weeks ago and the theater was 90% full. Word of mouth is spreading. At the end of the movie the audience just sits there taking it all in. It ends way too soon leaving us wanting more. It's a movie about real life filled with regrets, sorrow, happiness and rebirth.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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9

SimpleMethodJul 4, 2014

A fantastic, fantastic movie. Ruffalo really shines and Adam Levine is an absolutely unexpected standout. He did a great a job. I really enjoyed the story, pacing, characters, and acting. The ending was also really solid. Overall a splendid movie.

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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10

acquiredtastes2Jul 16, 2014

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I thoroughly enjoyed the movie and it really wasn't a 'rom-com' as much as a 'light' drama. I was delighted by the performances of all the principals and found the movie as a whole rather charming and
totally unique. It was in no way predictable as I thought that certain characters were going to end up together. Refreshingly, in some respects, they didn't, although the potential was there in several scenes.

The music to the film was probably the most engaging set of songs that I have heard in years. Did Keira do her own singing? Loved hearing Stevie Wonder's 'For Once in My Life' again, so appropriately done. The envisioning of musical accompaniement to Keira's first solo song was almost magical.

Strangely, Adam Levine of Maroon 5 acquitted himself exceptionally well as I was prepared to dislike him for all the media hype. I found his acting performance commendable.

The scenes of playing and living in NYC made me want to go back to the city as it was so attractively and engagingly displayed. All in all, I really liked this film.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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10

JohnsJabberJul 16, 2014

Carney knows what to do and he does it best. I had to remain seated for a further 5 minutes when the film had ended just to take everything in. The storyline isn't clichéd nor are the characters overplayed. You become engrossed with theirCarney knows what to do and he does it best. I had to remain seated for a further 5 minutes when the film had ended just to take everything in. The storyline isn't clichéd nor are the characters overplayed. You become engrossed with their relationships and feel as though you are on this journey with them. Brilliant performances by Knightley & Ruffalo and a stellar supporting cast.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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7

TVJerryJul 17, 2014

Mark Ruffalo plays a washed-up record exec who hears singer/songwriter Keira Knightley and decides to make a recording with her…outdoors all over New York City. Considering the subject and the writer/director (John Carney, who did the sameMark Ruffalo plays a washed-up record exec who hears singer/songwriter Keira Knightley and decides to make a recording with her…outdoors all over New York City. Considering the subject and the writer/director (John Carney, who did the same for "Once") you can expect lots of music. The soundtrack is filled with pleasant poppy songs, none of which are memorable. Ruffalo is interesting as always and Knightley may be the most charming she's ever been. Adam Levine co-stars as her ex and does fine as an actor (of course, he sings). The situations are predictable and the dialogue isn't especially sharp, but the appealing actors and plentiful music make it likeable.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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8

BshopAug 14, 2014

Great music movie. See it if you like music at all...I will probably buy this soundtrack just due to how great the music sounds. The acting was okay, I think Knightley stole the show though, Ruffalo playing second fiddle, and his "characterGreat music movie. See it if you like music at all...I will probably buy this soundtrack just due to how great the music sounds. The acting was okay, I think Knightley stole the show though, Ruffalo playing second fiddle, and his "character daughter" even upstaging him at times. Is it just me or does Ruffalo seem like a type-cast at this point? I mean "Thanks for Sharing" and "Begin Again" seem like the same guy - disheveled, broken, and generally out-of-sorts. But I digress.
In summary, see it if you like and appreciate music. Worth a rent when it comes out.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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9

foxgroveJul 14, 2014

This is a real crowd pleaser. With its gentle charm and simple, but not simplistic storyline it captivatingly draws one into its wish fulfilment, fantasy romance. Backed up by an incredible clutch of great new songs, which will ensure thatThis is a real crowd pleaser. With its gentle charm and simple, but not simplistic storyline it captivatingly draws one into its wish fulfilment, fantasy romance. Backed up by an incredible clutch of great new songs, which will ensure that the CD is a must have item, this is a no gloss production with a very big heart.
One's initial fears that it will be as indifferent as its title suggests are not borne out (the original title 'Can a song save your life' is a lot quirkier) and one very quickly warms to both the film and the performances of its very engaging cast. Mark Ruffalo is outstanding here and there is real chemistry between him and Keira Knightley, sporting a very acceptable singing voice. Supporting actors also contribute to the charm, although a little of James Cordon does go a long way. Unfamiliar New York locations are also refreshingly used.
Personally I enjoyed it more than John Carney's previous hit, 'Once', and it does share that film's love of music and the endurance of the human spirit. Also, wisely, neither film opts for an obviously pat ending. In fact, this could very well end up being the most enjoyable movie surprise of the year.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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4

seventhsealNov 30, 2014

What was so successful in Carneys ONCE fails to reemerge in BEGIN AGAIN. I feel this is partly due to casting, Knightly is wrong from the role of Greta, I feel this role would have been better realized by a more unfamiliar and better actress.What was so successful in Carneys ONCE fails to reemerge in BEGIN AGAIN. I feel this is partly due to casting, Knightly is wrong from the role of Greta, I feel this role would have been better realized by a more unfamiliar and better actress. Ruffalo also falls short which for me is an ever bigger disappointment as I am a big fan generally.

I lost interest in the characters and story of this film. Maybe yes to a large degree this is due to the fact I sensed very quickly that the bench mark of ONCE would not be found or close to being found by this outing.

Unfortunately I gave such little attention/interest to the characters in this film I am unable to provide a more detailed review of the actual film itself.

Carney can do and must do much better than this mild sell out of a production. Overall I will class this a lame pony with one eye missing and only 2 teeth remaining in its mange-riddled head.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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4

LamontRaymondJun 28, 2014

This one left me flat. It doesn't hold a candle to the filmmakers previous work "Once", which had so much feeling and soul to it. Another thing that Once had going for it was amazing music, and tremendous singers. I love Knightly (and IThis one left me flat. It doesn't hold a candle to the filmmakers previous work "Once", which had so much feeling and soul to it. Another thing that Once had going for it was amazing music, and tremendous singers. I love Knightly (and I love the rest of this amazing cast - with the exception of Levine who I don't know much about), but she cannot carry the music. Her voice is average, and I couldn't get behind any of the songs. It's a problem. And the chemistry between Knightly and Ruffalo is just strange. It can't even touch the chemistry between Sandler and Vega in Spanglish - then again, that's a high bar. And I frankly just didn't get the ending at all.… Expand

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

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6

philatJul 24, 2014

Mark Ruffalo is the star of this movie which revolves around the pop music world and a plot of climbing out of the depths to regain prominence not only professionally but in his personal life as well. Keira Knightley provides a pleasant foilMark Ruffalo is the star of this movie which revolves around the pop music world and a plot of climbing out of the depths to regain prominence not only professionally but in his personal life as well. Keira Knightley provides a pleasant foil to Ruffalo's character as she too faces personal decisions in her life. Fortunately, the chemistry between the two is there but not exploited in the usual Hollywood fashion. Whether the music is good, bad, or indifferent will depend on the viewer's background and age. One wonders, as in so many movies, how the directors and writers of movies from the 1930s to the mid-1960s were able to produce often excellent movies without use of the f word and variants, which trips off the tongues of the main characters like water dripping from a leaky faucet.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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5

JPManningJul 21, 2014

Pretty formulaic. Runs through all the standard cliches very quickly. Main characters not really fleshed out. Nice music though, and a good ending. Adam Levine does a nice job acting.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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7

LynJan 18, 2015

While there's not a song like "Falling Slowly" to stick in your mind as with the director's previous film, "Once," this is a warm and creative slice of the songwriters' life. Keira Knightley is at her most winsome and Mark Ruffalo at his mostWhile there's not a song like "Falling Slowly" to stick in your mind as with the director's previous film, "Once," this is a warm and creative slice of the songwriters' life. Keira Knightley is at her most winsome and Mark Ruffalo at his most adorable as they discover, challenge, support and inspire each other. My favorite scene was near the beginning. Ruffalo, a down-on-his-luck music producer, hears Knightley's low-key and poorly received singing in a bar. Then it shows him imagining all the elements that could make the song a hit -- mentally adding in piano, drums, strings, backing vocals. (Yeah, Knightley's voice is a little thin, but just think of all those marginally talented, autotuned kewpie dolls who are stars currently.) Glad for a nice little film I can recommend to my friends who aren't into sci fi, superheroes, scorching drama or violence.… Expand