Rough around the edges but thoroughly charming.

Rating: 7/10 (6 August 2014)

It's been a while since Irish filmmaker and bassist John Carney has graced the spotlight. 2007's low-budget Once was a real treat and earned itself a thoroughly deserved Oscar for its memorable song "Falling Slowly." It feels like Carney's trying to repeat the magic here with an Americanized but not-much-bigger-budget version with Begin Again with A-list stars Keira Knightley and Mark Ruffalo. They're a welcome here as their screen presence overcomes clunkiness in the production. Too often does the photography feel sloppy and unplanned with illogical blocking and no texture. But Begin Again isn't a film concerned with looks, it's all about the music and the artists.
After struggling with an inexplicable nonlinear structure, feeling obligated to give us backstory whilst being overexcited at getting to the meat and indulging in that first in its prologue, it finally finds its stride. With our protagonists paired and the concept taking the reigns, it's pretty easy going stuff to just witness happening after such a slow pace, though it still gives us backstory to other characters. In fact, you end up dreading the inevitable downfall and sincerely hope the landing isn't too harsh after the hardships we tread through with them before. The music here is nothing particularly special, but it has an authenticity and a heart that shines through. It may be on-the-nose, but it adds so much to the characters and atmosphere to the air. Such great moments such as the performance on the rooftop when Hailee Steinfeld joins in the band.
Knightley is radiant and tender, with only a few misteps where she slips into clichés that don't suit the character. Ruffalo's rugged nearly-homeless feel meets groans initially, but he rubs off on you and becomes the film's firm backbone. Maroon 5's Adam Levine sounds alarm bells at first but he's actually okay, performing music that's closest to his roots when his band was actually listenable. At least he's self-deprecating in the role making him somewhat endearing. British comedian James Corden is the antidote to any ills the film may have though. Begin Again may be rough around the edges and flawed, but it's a thoroughly charming film with a big heart. Its emotion works, but really it's mostly nice to see films of this topic. It may not exactly be Inside Llewyn Davis but it's more therapeutic company.
7/10