"Begin Again" - an Exceptional Musical Romance

I almost cried twice during the new independent film "Begin Again" - not because it's sad or sappy, but because it's so true and brilliant.  This very 21st Century tale proves to be timeless in it's emotions, yet fresh and original in it's storytelling.  "Begin Again" is also a love letter to the creative process and possibly the best movie of 2014.

Writer-director John Carney's long-awaited follow-up to the 2006 Oscar winner "Once" delves into the familiar themes of love and music.  The filmmaking is more ambitious, not just because it's set on the streets of New York.  John Carney the writer has learned to trust John Carney the director and this is what sets "Begin Again" apart from the rest of the cutesy independent film wannabees.  During several of the movie's finest moments, Carney's camera lets the images speak for themselves with no further explanation required.  It's pure cinema and true beauty.  The final image of Keira Knigthley's face is reminiscent - yet more optimistic - of the famous end to François Truffaut's "The 400 Blows" - a powder keg of emotion worth a thousand words.

Keira Knightley, Hailee Steinfeld, and Mark Ruffalo

The story begins when wasted, burnt-out Dan (Mark Ruffalo) is fired from the record label he co-founded.  Estranged from his wife and teenage daughter (Hailee Steinfeld), he contemplates suicide as he drinks his soul away in the dark New York night.  He stumbles into a bar where singer-songwriter Gretta (Keira Knightley) has reluctantly taken the stage to perform a heartfelt song.  Dan's old magic is rekindled and he sets out to turn Gretta into the next big thing - and hopefully salvage his own career.

Keira Knightley and Adam Levine

Gretta also has a problematic history.  Recently separated from her rock star boyfriend (Adam Levine), Gretta is alone and hurt and ready to fly back to London.  Skeptical at first, she reluctantly agrees to let Dan help, and the two set off to make music.  Dan assembles a band of amateurs and friends (including a fun cameo by CeeLo Green) to record songs live at various landmark locations in New York.  As their careers blossom, they each confront their past.  Most touching of all is Dan's relationship with his daughter (Hailee Steinfeld).  A teen looking to fit in, she surprises her father with talent and maturity that proves to be a hard-earned, yet deserving bond.

Making music on the streets

"Begin Again" is not a traditional love story, but more about the love of life - our friends, families, careers, and art.  The pure joy of the music making scenes are exciting and as explosive as any CGI-laden blockbuster.  The movie nicely addresses both the business and art sides of the creative process, showing the good with the bad.

It embraces the New York setting and dives into the city.  The characters and neighborhoods are expertly weaved together into a believable world that makes everything seem alive and real.  Shot on digital with the Red camera, the cinematography especially pops during the nighttime scenes in Times Square - which appear to have been secretly filmed with real New Yorkers as extras.

Mark Ruffalo and Keira Knightley in Times Square

Mark Ruffalo, as always, brings his A-game and creates a memorable, lovable loser that you can't help but root for.  He's definitely one of the best American actors working today.  It is, however, Keira Knightley's movie, as it begins and ends with Gretta.  Her character undergoes the greatest transformation and the actress deserves much credit.  This may be her best work yet and I hope she's remembered during Awards Season.  Who says there's no great roles for women?  Her character makes tough decisions while never losing strength and the belief in her music.  She's the moral center of this year's most entertaining movie universe.