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| Mark Ruffalo and Keira Knightley (The Weinstein Company) |
It’s
surprising just how effectively John Carney reels you into Begin Again, even
as he delicately dollops clichés atop the broad archetypes and familiar
plotlines he’s sketched out. Mark Ruffalo and Keira Knightley, in turns simultaneously
enjoyable and expected, star as down-on-their-luck outsiders in the music
industry that come together in an effort to reignite their passion and sense of
artistic purpose. Carney’s film succeeds by giving New York an
expansive yet intimate feel as Ruffalo and Knightley tour the city, and by
boasting some irresistibly exhilarating original music. Begin Again is
never great – it doesn’t make the necessary artistic leap that top-tier movie musicals do – but it’s good throughout, and is always,
endlessly watchable. B