John Carney's Begin Again is a warm, sloppy hug of a movie that deftly blends music, naturalistic acting, and the understated emotional pathos that defined his earlier triumph Once (2006). After seeing the film twice in the theaters I still find myself thinking about it almost every day. It's a film about people whose lives have been upended finding comfort, solace, and healing in a community of musicians. Keira Knightley received some criticism for her less-than-professional vocal performances. But that was the point of the character! She wasn't a professional or even semi-professional singer/songwriter. She was just a woman who wrote songs for herself who happened to meet the right person at the right time to help her find her voice. Mark Ruffalo's performance is also a stark reminder that we shouldn't lose sight of his considerable talents just because he now periodically transforms into a rampaging green giant. Begin Again is just the kind of film that Hollywood needs right now: honest, sincere, authentic.
8/10
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