Settle With Music

Rating: 7/10 (10 July 2014)

Begin Again tends to take things light and easy, despite of its harsher first act. It introduces its main characters falling down from their careers as they face the unfair reality of the music industry. Dan seeks for actual good music but the production keeps on feeding everyone the awfulness of modern mainstream because the mass would sadly swallow it no matter what, while Greta has gone to a typical celebrity relationship which won't last that long (apparently). The first thirty-minutes or so pours out the worst until they immediately find the solution to get up again. The plot sometimes move too simple, but what consists in those scenes however bring a real heart to music which easily makes the audience sway from some of its obvious flaws.
Some might expect some commentary since the beginning keeps poking fun of today's popular music, but it didn't took that long. Instead of petty satires, it rather makes music as a way of expressing their various feelings. Their problems may be solved far too easy which makes the steps of the journey feel kind of underwhelming, but how they define their affections towards the music deeper than what the storyline was trying to suggest. The lead characters are given some genuine personality which makes their bonding moments wonderfully down-to-earth.
The direction contemplates and perfectly follows the rhythm of the playing songs at the scenes. The songs are fine, few might be considered as memorable but they are all appealing anyway. Keira Knightly isn't known for singing, but she nicely carries her character's emotions through it, also of course at the acting. Mark Ruffalo manages to be all likable in his redeeming washed-up producer role. The rest of the cast also brims some life in their background.
The risk of "beginning again" is probably too little, basically because passion to music could easily find the end of the tunnel of their sudden misery. Its eventual sheer positivity can be both a good and a bad thing. The good side is it stays true to what it is wanted to say. But still, they're still burdened with some heavy personal issues that doesn't get enough consideration, but whatever I guess. The sub-themes and all; it still delivers its message sincerely and it can be quite a charming thing.