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Keira Knightley movie 'Begin Again' is a glorified retread of director John Carney's film 'Once'

( R ) ( Monitor Movie Guide )

Keira Knightley and Mark Ruffalo star in the movie 'Begin Again,' which never really manages to touch the hearts of audience members. Keira Knightley recently appeared in 'Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit.'

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Andrew Schwartz/The Weinstein Company/AP
Keira Knightley (r.) and Mark Ruffalo (l.) star in 'Begin Again.'
  • By Peter Rainer Film critic

Irish writer-director John Carney believes in the healing powers of song. Boy, does he ever. “Once,” his 2006 indie smash, was all about that, and so is his new film “Begin Again,” which was originally titled “Can A Song Save Your Life?”

His answer, of course, is yes. For those of us who prefer our music lessons with a bit less treacle, the verdict is still in. “Begin Again” feels more like a glorified retread of “Once” than something freshly imagined. 

Mark Ruffalo, in a rare not-wonderful performance, plays Dan Mulligan, a dissolute music industry producer in New York, separated from his wife (Catherine Keener) and estranged from his daughter (Hailee Steinfeld), who finds career and personal redemption in promoting little-known Brit balladeer Greta (played well enough by Keira Knightley, who performs some of the songs). 

Most of the music is by New Radicals frontman Gregg Alexander, and it’s heartfelt without ever really touching the heart. Grade: C+ (Rated R for language.)

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