Begin Again
2014 · Directed by John Carney
Original language: English
- comedy
- music
- romance
- drama
The story
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 it’s like
Warm, handheld New York streets in daylight and dusk, with the city's sounds folded into the mix: traffic, subway rumble, a busker's guitar carrying down a block. Much of it was shot on location with an easy, documentary looseness, so faces catch natural window light and rooftop sunsets, and the sheen of a rainy avenue at night reads as hopeful rather than bleak. The score is acoustic and unfussy, with live-sounding recording sessions and street performances that feel unpolished on purpose. The vibe is bittersweet and sunny, a comfort watch with a wistful undertow. It suits a lazy weekend afternoon, a long train ride, or an evening when you want music and city air without anything heavy. Dialogue is quick and funny, the pace relaxed, and the emotional arcs are gentle: a heartbroken woman rediscovering her confidence, a burnt-out man finding his way back to music. Intensity is low, with some strong language, a cheating betrayal discussed rather than shown, and no violence or gore. It is for viewers who love music films, romance without melodrama, and the feel of New York.
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