Beautiful movie that wins yours heart (and your ears)

Rating: 8/10 (18 September 2014)

I know a movie is good if I wouldn't mind watching it again after I just finished it for the first time. And when I know I'll watch it again and again in the future. Begin again is that kind of movie.
It's a simple story really: two people who are going through a difficult time in their lives meet each other, they connect, in this case through their mutual love for music, and without even trying to, without realizing about it, they help each other overcome their troubles, they help each other to begin again.
What makes this movie special is the way that story is presented to the audience: the mixture of charismatic actors, lovable characters, beautiful songs and a impeccable direction.
Mark Ruffalo and Keira Knightley are just perfect in these roles. I've always found Knightley to be an enchanting screen presence, you can not stop looking at her when she's on screen. She doesn't have an incredible voice, but it's good enough for this movie and its sweetness makes it perfect for her character. And Ruffalo is completely credible as this alcoholic, depressed father. This is probably my favorite work of him. In other movies I never thought too much about him, he was just there, not bad, but not noteworthy either. Although I have to admit I haven't seen many of his movies. But in this one he carries the film with Knightley effortlessly. Their chemistry is tangible, I even wondered during several points in the movie if their characters where going to end being more than friends. And in a way they are, they are more than two people who share a common passion and the suffering of betrayal, they get to understand each other in ways not even their closest friends and family seem to. Dan gives Gretta a way to express her pain and to share her soul (her lyrics) with the world. In a way she likes, not in the distorted way her ex-boyfriend is doing it. And Gretta makes Dan remember what it is he loves to do and how good he is at it. Making him find a way to be close with his family again.
An special mention to Adam Levine. He did fine as Gretta's boyfriend. I wouldn't say his acting was exceptional, but it wasn't bad either. But his voice made up for everything anyway. Especially in the last song he sings. It just got me and even made feel bad for his character even though he clearly didn't deserved.
I would like to comment on the first part of the movie too. The way the audience is able to see the same moment through the two main characters' point of view was so well done. And to me it was very effective. It could have been confusing, going back and forward in time, but not only it wasn't, it was a beautiful and original way to set up this story and the characters' background.
I guess some people would call Begin again cheesy or unrealistic or whatever... Maybe it is, all I really know for sure is I had a good time watching it, it never felt boring and it left me feeling good, even optimistic. I love movies that manage to do that and unfortunately they aren't many these days.