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Film Review: Begin Again
/ August 15, 2014
Rating: M
Release Date: August 7th, 2014
Begin Again is a film with all the earthiness and flare of an urban hipster, but none of the arrogance.
Set in New York, a dejected record label executive (Mark Ruffalo) and a fresh-faced singer/songwriter (Keira Knightley) have a chance encounter at a bar that turns into a beautiful collaboration between the two.
It’s a musical nerds delight, with extended jam scenes and adamant proclamations about the need for ‘authenticity in the craft’, (an early scene with Mark Ruffalo tossing CD’s out his car window as he bemoans the state of the industry is priceless), but at the core of it all is a gentle story of two broken lives being made whole through an unexpected connection. And not the one you might think.
As Dan (Mark Ruffalo) falls apart at the seams, stumbling out of his apartment, disheveled, hungover, and jobless, there’s a fleeting scene on the subway which is the films defining moment; A straight-laced proselytiser is handing out leaflets about Jesus: “You need Christ, Sir talk to God.” Dan wryly takes the sheet of paper, turns to the gentlemen, “Alright I’ll talk to God, I’ll talk to God…but what if He doesn’t answer?” Fade out, and cut.
…now we know Dan is a man seeking, but what will He find?
The movie never refers back to this interjection, but it’s from that point on possibilities for change begin to enter Dan’s world. Whether he recognises it or not, God’s seen his situation. He knows the hollowness that needs filling, and the relationships that need restoration. God knows what the prayer of his heart might have been – even if the audience don’t.
We though, get to sit voyeuristicly and watch God respond to his silent plea.
Begin Again is a journey full of creative delight and surprise expression best seen unspoiled, so let me just say this: you’ll leave wanting to dance on rooftops to bands no ones heard of with friends you’ve just made, enjoying abandoned pleasure – but all the while be quietly reminded to see God in the subtle.
Enjoy.
7.5/10
