It works in quiet ways

Rating: 8/10 (1 May 2016)

Mark Ruffalo is great as a down and out music producer, a believer in independent music and co-founder of his own label, but who loses his job because of his excessive drinking. He's divorced with a teenage daughter, and feels her (and his ex-wife's) disrespect for him grow as he sinks to rock bottom. The scene where he stumbles across Keira Knightly, an aspiring young singer-songwriter performing solo in a small bar, and in his mind adds the music which could accompany it, is very nice; she thinks she's bombed based on the tepid reaction from the audience in the bar, whereas he sees her talent and begins pursuing her. Her boyfriend is Adam Levine, who has already become a successful artist, though they fight when he steals one of her songs for his album. It's a scene played quite well by both of them.
The movie has a nice soundtrack, including "Coming Up Roses" by Keira Knightly and "Lost Stars" by Adam Levine. Knightly is good as a singer and Levine and CeeLo Green (in a smaller role) are good as actors, and Hailee Steinfeld, Ruffalo's character's daughter, is a solid young talent. The movie has an authentic feel to it, with shots in New York City's subways and streets that I enjoyed. It moves towards an ending which is mostly predictable I suppose, but in a heartfelt way, and with a few digs at the music industry along the way. It's not a masterpiece or anything, but it works in quiet ways.