innovative, insightful, visionary, perceptive

Rating: 10/10 (3 August 2014)

Dumped, broke, fired, punched, dreams crushed, drunk, estranged from loved ones, no place to stay, cheated on, alienated and/or alone, the main characters of this film, Greta and Dan, are both extremely down on their luck. Yet these two who wear their hearts on their sleeves and bring life to those around them, in their own unusual ways, encounter each other by chance. They begin to work their odd magic on each other. From the innovative, insightful, visionary, perceptive and independent director of "Once," a film I enjoyed immensely, I was again – much as I tried to resist high expectations - transported to a romantic, musical, surreal realm. The alluring pulse of the music, beautiful scenes from the streets of New York, the unexpected twists and turns of the story, the evident chemistry between Keira Knightley and Mark Ruffalo, interesting dialogue, and naturalistic shots that provided the feeling that I was a part of the film rather than merely watching it, delighted and charmed me to no end. This film is more than a musical, emotions are communicated through songs that come from the hearts of the characters. Keira and Mark are astounding. Keira breaks up with her boyfriend in a look, and pulls it off. A film for the humble and supportive people who, when they fall down, have others who take the opportunity to pile more troubles upon them. Seen at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival.