Begin Again (2013)

A chance encounter between a disgraced music-business executive and a young singer-songwriter, new to Manhattan, turns into a promising collaboration between the two talents.

Director:

John Carney

Writer:

John Carney

Stars:

Keira Knightley, Mark Ruffalo, Adam Levine

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 5 wins & 17 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
James Corden	...	Steve
Keira Knightley	...	Gretta
Mark Ruffalo	...	Dan
Hailee Steinfeld	...	Violet
Yasiin Bey	...	Saul
Karen Pittman	...	Business Woman
Paul Romero	...	Bartender
Catherine Keener	...	Miriam
Andrew Sellon	...	Christian Father
Ed Renninger	...	Barman (as Edward Renninger)
Eric Burton	...	Singer Songwriter #2
Adam Levine	...	Dave
Marco Assante	...	Marco
Mary Catherine Garrison	...	Jill
Jen Jacob	...	Dave's Fangirl

Storyline

Gretta (Keira Knightley) and her long-time boyfriend Dave (Adam Levine) are college sweethearts and songwriting partners who decamp for New York when he lands a deal with a major label. But the trappings of his new-found fame soon tempt Dave to stray, and a reeling, lovelorn Gretta is left on her own. Her world takes a turn for the better when Dan (Mark Ruffalo), a disgraced record-label exec, stumbles upon her performing on an East Village stage and is immediately captivated by her raw talent. From this chance encounter emerges an enchanting portrait of a mutually transformative collaboration, set to the soundtrack of a summer in New York City.

---

Plot Keywords:

singer | infidelity | singing | manhattan new york city | musician | 

---

Taglines:

You're only as strong as your next move.

---

Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Music | Romance

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language

Did You Know?

Trivia

Adam Levine and CeeLo Green were judges on The Voice (2011) together.

---

Goofs

When they are recording on the roof, the song comes to an end, with Violet playing the last notes, but Dan is still strumming on the bass guitar; there is no bass guitar playing at the moment.

---

Quotes

Greta: I just think you have let your troubles get in the way of your entire life.

---

Connections

Referenced in WatchMojo: Top 10 Actors and Directors Who Hated Each Other (2016)

---

Soundtracks

I Love Summer
Written by Jonathan Von Letscher
Performed by Honey Claws
Courtesy of pigFACTORY

User Reviews

A refreshing film ...without explosions?

I knew virtually nothing about this film - hadn't even seen the trailer - when I drug my wife to see it last night, and we were both very pleasantly surprised. The characters are drawn in such a way that they are both like-able and relatable. In the end, the film builds emotion with the audience not by means of incredible stretches of the imagination, but through a gradually reinforced empathy. I have seen all the summer blockbusters, and the single largest failure in most of them is that they create shallow characters that the audience does not care about.

The dynamics used in this movie cause an engagement in the audience that is necessary in ANY film for it to be great. This one is not to be missed in the CGI-filled summer.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 July 2014 (USA)

Also Known As:

Begin Again

Filming Locations:

Washington Square Park, Greenwich Village, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$8,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$134,064, 29 June 2014

Gross USA:

$16,170,632

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$63,464,861

Company Credits

Production Co:

Exclusive Media Group, Sycamore Pictures, Apatow Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Sound Mix:

Datasat Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1