FILMS about music are not only hard to write but hard to produce and get right.
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Often they turn out to be full of pop-based songs that will get the younger demographic excited and leave the older generations who have a passion for “real music” wanting more.
There are exceptions of course with films like The Commitments, Crazy Heart, August Rush or Once all showing why commercial music needs to be overlooked at times.
Writer-director of Once John Carney returns to the helm for Begin Again, a film that follows a washed-up music executive discover and develop a talented British songwriter.
As in the vein of Once, passion for music and a step away from the musical mainstream are strong themes through the film.
The only difference is that Once, which was set in Dublin, was made on a budget of 150,000 euros in 17 days while Begin Again had a strong budget of a few million dollars and a production schedule of 14 weeks. The result is a much more polished film than Once with music that is slightly more commercial than the 2006 film.
Mark Ruffalo leads the cast as Dan, a down-on-his luck guy who discovers Greta (Keira Knightley), a British songwriter who has been left heartbroken by her ex (Maroon 5’s Adam Levine) who sought fame and fortune over love.
Ruffalo (The Avengers, Shutter Island) is his usual cheeky-charming best while Knightley (Pride and Prejudice, Pirates of the Caribbean) is easily the most relaxed and natural on screen as we have seen her in a long time. With the likes of Hailee Steinfeld (Ture Grit), James Cordon (Gavin and Stacy), Mos Def (Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy), Catherine Keener (Into the Wild) and CeeLo Green supporting the lead cast, the musical and theatrical talent shines through.
When Dan and Greta decide to record an album on the streets of New York rather than a professional studio, it gives Carney a chance to showcase a city as he did in Once.
It also shows off the skills of the musicians featured in the film and lyrics of Gregg Alexander, John Carney and Glenn Hansard (of Once fame) as well as others.
Begin Again will appeal to fans of the cult hit Once as well as anyone who is looking for an escape from the over-produced, often generic, music that comes with most films about the record industry.
Begin Again (M) is now showing at Bendigo Cinemas. See page 3 of the Bendigo Advertiser for session times.
Follow film reviewer Chris Pedler on Twitter @FilmNerdChris
