I started a new job about 6 months ago that's comes with a pretty crazy workload, so I haven't been doing as much blogging sadly. However, I saw a movie this weekend that was so fantastic I knew I needed to carve out some time for a review.
The movie is "Begin Again" and it's reminiscent of "High Fidelity." There's a romantic plot that comes across as more realistic that the average fluffy rom com, with music references for fans of many musical genres. Like "High Fidelity" it also includes commentary on the state of the music industry, artist versus label contract structures and the release of music digitally. The movie stars Keira Knightley and Mark Ruffalo. Ruffalo portrays a down-on-his-luck record exec, conveyed with just the right amount of hopeless optimism but ruffled exterior. Knightley is charmingly English as the ex-girlfriend of an up-and-coming rockstar (the perfectly cast Adam Levine- charming, self-obsessed, douchebag). Ruffalo hears Knightley playing one night and is re-inspired, thus beginning their journey of recording music live on the streets of NYC. Knightley is a surprisingly good singer and pulls off the Nora Jones/Colbie Caillat type songs.
The romantic subplot if that Ruffalo is separated from his wife (the fabulous Catherine Keener). They have a tempestuous teenager daughter, played by relatively new but very accredited Hailee Steinfled (True Grit). Throughout the movie there's also an underlying chemistry between Ruffalo and Knightley. I won't give anything away but I really enjoyed that the movie didn't sensationalize anything. While Knightley originally comes off as a little naive, she learns a lot and makes some wise choices on both the music and romance fronts.
Cee Lo Green was by far the best cameo, as a rapper made big by Ruffalo. He added great comic relief and threw down some rhymes. He came off like a natural born actor in the movie and I hope this will lead to more movie roles. Mos Def once again showed he has acting chops but it would have been a great addition to include his musical/rap talents as well.
I recommend this to any romantic or music lover. I'm excited to check out the soundtrack as well.
