For starters it’s a Weinstein film so that’s usually a good thing, in this story from writer/director John Carney who brought us a similar film Once –released in 2006 – about a musical couple in Dublin. That movie never resonated for me, but this one has all the engaging and sappy sentiment one would hope for.
In this, Dan (Mark Ruffalo) is the Jerry Maguire of music…an angry drunken, washed up, record-company exec who’s lost his mojo and his partnership – both in business and to his estranged wife (Catherine Keener.) His daughter, Violet (Hailee Steinfeld) seems to resist him, but like most of us there’s eventually no resisting the very likable Mark Ruffalo with his wounded-guy-next-door appeal that brought him to stardom in Just Like Heaven and eventually his Oscar nominated The Kids are Allright.
Greta (Keira Knightley) is in a lower east side bar, performing to an audience that barely notices her but that’s okay. She’s caught the attention of Dan and she’s his next Sara Bareilles. This is a good thing, since her boyfriend, Dave (Adam Levine from Maroon 5) has just dumped her, his musical muse, for a big life of Hollywood and Grammys.
The story truly kicks in when – in Dan’s inventive moment – we join him to discovering Greta’s talent. This is when the rooting begins for their simultaneous success to ‘begin again’ though ironically to start, Dan can’t sign her, and Greta doesn’t want a record deal either.
As Dan and Greta connect, their underdog-likable-back-story is already in place…”for anyone who’s ever been alone in the city.” The two manage to pull this off without necessarily a romantic angle, though Ruffalo and Knightley have a wonderful and real chemistry.
It’s refreshing to see Knightley outside of her teeth-clenching-period-piece-roles in tight bustier running through a vast, green field. In this she glides in nicely (must be because she’s married to British rock star Jamie Righton who’s eased her into life as a musician.) But as her voice grows so does her confidence, finding the identity she lost in her egotistical boyfriend (Levine.) Knightley even assumes a sort of ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’ demeanor in her springy dresses, high pony tails and occasional fickleness revealed through those familiar doe eyes.
The film softens into an old-fashioned feel good story with a very practical ending. It will undoubtedly remain in everyone’s top three of summer flicks, let alone be a favorite sing-along soundtrack. (note: Alternative rock-singer Gregg Alexander wrote much of the music, but Levine’s final performance of “Lost Stars” steals the show.) ♔ ♕ ♚ 1/2