Begin Again is a re-telling of Once, but still fresh

I enjoyed Once when it came out a few years ago. The same director’s newest movie is Begin Again, which feels much like the same movie with a slight twist. Even so, it is told well (again) and is still entertaining.

The movie stars Keira Knightley as a songwriter who has come to America tagging along with her boyfriend (Maroon 5 singer Adam Levine), who is also a songwriter beginning to gather some national attention for a few songs. When the fame becomes real and he moves on to the glamorous lifestyle, she is stuck. However she gets noticed by a down-on-his-luck record producer played by Mark Ruffalo, who convinces her to made a demo. Interspersed throughout is his relationship with his estranged wife and daughter.

As in Once, the ending is maybe not what you wanted but it is the one that should be written, though it does do a better job of making everyone have a happy ending. The music isn’t as good as the first movie, but the story may be a little better overall. A nice afternoon at the movies.