It is not quite "Once" but still a remarkable musical

Rating: 10/10 (14 May 2019)

Carney's "Once" is one of the best musicals ever made and as such it sets a standard that is hard to live up to. "Begin Again" while clearly the weaker work is a great follow-up in spite of that. Like "Once" it strips the musical form down to its minimal trappings to focus on the simple power of music. The soundtrack is a nice blend of some classics, and a lot of great indie pop songs that works well for the characters. (If I have one complaint it would be the music is a bit too conventional). Knightley had a surprisingly soulful singing voice that makes the film very pleasant to listen too. The gimmick of recording in various locations around New York city allows the film to have a small sense of spectacle that fits well with Carney trying (and succeeding) to blend the "Once" template with a more traditional Hollywood musical.
This desire to blend the two forms, as well as Carney's concern with selling out, echos throughout the story. It is a re-configured "A Story is Born" (that eternal Hollywood myth) in which a formerly great musical producers who hits rock bottom-professionally, personally-meets and shepherds a younger woman songwriter who, also, has had her share of personal failures. Unlike "A Star is Born" the two do not form an erotic relationship. And the film's conclusions around the tensions of art and commerce are less dire and more humanistic. More to the point, the plotting re-configures the musical tropes to be engaging and it was surprising to see how the the various parts fit together. I just like how this film bridges the gap the conventional Hollywood musical and the far more intimate "Once."
As previously alluded to Knightley is quite good in this. She is very charming, and embodies Gretta's raw talent but also her raw pain. But to me the standout was Ruffalo. He is utter mess that gets cleaned up in this film. It may be his best career performance.
Great companion piece for "Once."