Gretta (Keira Knightley) is young, English and has some talent as a singer and a good comedy sidekick/friend in Steve (James Corden). But her dreams of musical success in New York lie in tatters after her recent break-up with boyfriend and collaborator Dave (Adam Levine). She is bound for the next flight home.
Dan (Mark Ruffalo) meanwhile is middle aged and seems to be on the way down after both a successful producing career is on the skids and his marriage comes to an end. He happens to see Gretta performing at an open mic session on her last night in town. Could this meeting be exactly what these two lost souls need?
Admittedly, this film from Once director John Carney sounds predictable as hell on paper and to some extent, this is true. But Ruffalo is great, making a potentially sleazy character likeable. Knightley can sing and has some nice scenes bonding with Dan’s teenage daughter. There are no real villains here even Gretta’s ex has redeeming qualities and yes, this is relentlessly feelgood. But it’s not stupid either. So what’s wrong with that?
There is a “making of featurette and some music videos. Haters of James Corden or Keira Knightley (and, yes, such people do exist) will want to steer clear and the music might repel some. But everyone else should find this an uplifting and rewarding musical treat.
Overall Verdict: The Hulk and Anna Karenina: together at last and unleashed on New York.
Special Features:
The Making of Begin Again Featurette
Music Videos
Reviewer: Chris Hallam