Begin Again
1 Oscar Nominations
Gretta, a budding songwriter, finds herself alone after her boyfriend Dave ditches her. Her life gains purpose when Dan, a record label executive, notices her talent.
What critics thought
John Carney's follow-up to Once won over many critics with its breezy charm and the easy chemistry between its leads, but skeptics found its celebration of raw, street-level authenticity undercut by slick, over-produced execution — a film that preaches anti-commercialism while practicing it. The sharpest dividing line is whether you find that contradiction forgivable or fatal.
“lovely stuff, winningly played, open-hearted and guaranteed to slap on a smile on a balmy summer night”
Ian Freer·Empire
“a movie obsessed with authenticity but as phony as a Miley Cyrus dance routine”
Paul MacInnes·The Guardian
“disappointing, overly produced follow-up”
A. O. Scott·The New York Times
“disarming emotional candor and intimacy”
David Rooney·The Hollywood Reporter
“the slightly bogus vibe”
Bruce Ingram·Chicago Sun-Times
Genres
Comedy, Drama, Music
Cast & Crew
DirectorJohn Carney
StarringMark Ruffalo, Keira Knightley, Adam Levine, Hailee Steinfeld, Catherine Keener
ComposerGregg Alexander
Begin Again
1 Oscar Nominations
Gretta, a budding songwriter, finds herself alone after her boyfriend Dave ditches her. Her life gains purpose when Dan, a record label executive, notices her talent.
What critics thought
John Carney's follow-up to Once won over many critics with its breezy charm and the easy chemistry between its leads, but skeptics found its celebration of raw, street-level authenticity undercut by slick, over-produced execution — a film that preaches anti-commercialism while practicing it. The sharpest dividing line is whether you find that contradiction forgivable or fatal.
“lovely stuff, winningly played, open-hearted and guaranteed to slap on a smile on a balmy summer night”
Ian Freer·Empire
“a movie obsessed with authenticity but as phony as a Miley Cyrus dance routine”
Paul MacInnes·The Guardian
“disappointing, overly produced follow-up”
A. O. Scott·The New York Times
“disarming emotional candor and intimacy”
David Rooney·The Hollywood Reporter
“the slightly bogus vibe”
Bruce Ingram·Chicago Sun-Times
Genres
Comedy, Drama, Music
Cast & Crew
DirectorJohn Carney
StarringMark Ruffalo, Keira Knightley, Adam Levine, Hailee Steinfeld, Catherine Keener
ComposerGregg Alexander