Begin Again

A question that I’ve often thought about when writing a review is should the title of the film effect my opinion of it. If so then I’m sorry to say that based on the title alone this would be a very generic and clichéd film, Begin Again formerly known as Can A Song Save Your Life. If they’d stuck with that title it would be an answer to the question, can a title sum up the film in one sentence? Because that is what this film is about, people with problems who play instruments to solve them. Or to go into greater detail a failing musician Dan Mulligan (Mark Ruffalo) befriends a heartbroken songwriter and singer Greta (Kiera Knightly). The pair then decide to set up a creative project as a cure for their blues.

However, I am knit-picking because this is a step up from the usual kind of style that these films are laid out in. Begin Again features a rather impressive cast, a nice mix of British and American talent, we see both James Corden and Kiera Knightly trying to launch their careers in the good old US of A and this is a good way to start. The Incredible Hulk has also joined in to benefit some of the many successful roles that have been offered to all of the Avengers cast after the battle of New York.

But no amount of obscure references will distract me from reviewing this film. The structure of the film moves surprisingly smoothly considering that we know exactly what happens during the first half an hour. That is of no fault of the film itself, it’s just that this genre in general suffers from it, the story of the film would be prohibited if the first half an hour did not take the turns that it does. However wait around and you’ll see that this manages to keep us guessing despite the fact that it follows a normally formulaic plot. Normally these films follow a story of success, but you won’t have to look very hard at Begin Again to find a deeper message.

Plot aside and focus on the main selling point of this film the music. And it’s very enjoyable in that factor. Not only that but I can guarantee that unless you lack a soul then you will leave this film feeling happy and rhythmic, if not a little bitter sweetened (spoiler). You may call this film light hearted, but that’s what it sells itself as. I would object to the tone of it if Begin Again was presented as a hard hitting drama but instead it openly advertises the comedy and musical elements so you feel as if you’ve gotten your money’s worth and that is a very underrated feature of films now.

But at the same time it manages to avoid being labelled predictable, like I said before there are a few plot turns that you will not expect. So it’s immensely enjoyable but nor predictable, that is a triumph on its own, combine it with some great performances and a charming script result in a surprisingly fantastic film, even if the title is not.

Result: 7/10