Quartile rating: 7/10 · 1 rating
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.
Begin Again is a warm, likable music drama elevated by genuine chemistry between Keira Knightley and Mark Ruffalo and a strong soundtrack. The plot hits familiar redemption-through-music beats without much surprise, and the NYC-as-recording-studio conceit is its most distinctive creative flourish, giving it a modest lift in novelty. Acting is solid across the board but rarely transcends the material. Cinematography captures New York with charm but not exceptional artistry. The ending, where Gretta opts for independence over reconciliation, is thematically apt but feels abrupt and undercooked, leaving emotional threads unresolved rather than satisfyingly concluded.