Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		2.0
Overall		4.0

Begin Again Blu-ray Movie Review

Hits the right notes.

Reviewed by Martin Liebman November 3, 2014

If music is the voice of the soul, then Begin Again represents the megaphone projecting it out into the world. A simple yet heartfelt affair, the film captures the essence of life through music, its binding ties that push several journeys forward to personal satisfaction, satisfaction that's more complete in the gruff yet gratifying real world than it is in the externally prim and proper yet internally cutthroat corporate world. The picture follows a talented but mostly invisible singer/songwriter and a washed up alcoholic record label executive, both of whom find themselves on the wrong ends of personal and public success, pushed aside when dollar signs cannot be seen in the more raw, unprocessed, from-the-heart musical wares they peddle. It's not so much a film about individuality versus the prepackaged business world as it is just about individuality, the process of self discovery, the importance of self confidence, and the ebbs and flows of life in the greater world and what individuals make of themselves in light of who they are versus what the world says they should be in order to find that unfulfilling "success" that world pushes everyone towards.

Doing it right.

Record executive Dan Mulligan (Mark Ruffalo) is not only struggling to keep his job, he's struggling to keep his family together. He's not wanted by his wife Miriam (Catherine Keener) and his teenage daughter Violet (Hailee Steinfeld) isn't showing much interest in him, either. When he blows up at work and quits his job, he takes the day to soak in an abundance of alcohol. At a bar, he spots a can't-miss talent in Gretta (Keira Knightley), a singer-songwriter in a difficult relationship with a superstar musician named Dave (Adam Levine). When Dan takes Gretta to meet with the other label executives, they're turned away. Undeterred, they set out to make their own raw, homemade record, outside of the studio system and in the bowls of New York City.

Begin Again wears its intentions on its proverbial sleeve by way its novel and raw "live" musical recordings that define the plot's main, arcing plot point. It represents the literal definition of art imitating life, a perfect example of the organic nature of man and music alike. Sure, it lacks the polish of a studio recording, the pure yet inorganic manufacturing of beats performed dutifully rather sincerely, coldly rather than warmly. That juxtaposition of the grit of reality versus the polish of the process is reflective in every theme and story line that runs through the movie, notably in the way protagonists Gretta and Dan carry themselves in a more raw, unrehearsed, soulful manner that frequently clashes with the more prepared world in and through which the system says they must work. The city -- representing life itself -- proves a powerful elixir for both, releasing them, in essence, to be themselves, to operate on their own terms and be shaped by what life really is and has to offer, not what it appears to be in the blindingly white, bright, sterile world of clean lines and elegant stylings found inside the record office. The film examines, through these prisms, the value of not just music but of real, undefined, make-it-whatever-you-want life to the soul versus value to a prepackaged organization or industry that might pad a bank account but that leaves the cravings of the soul completely unfulfilled.

The film, like its story, is polished yet simple, an elegant yet somewhat raw experience that's so well made to be almost transparent, capable of transporting the audience to exist side-by-side with the characters and experience their journey and music in the purest sense, as pure as the medium allows, anyway. The story themes are accessible and thoroughly explored, defined not only by a quality script that manages to build a well-developed story out of a somewhat stock background but also by the excellent performances that give the movie the very tangible shape it so readily enjoys. Mark Ruffalo and Keira Knightley enjoy wonderful screen chemistry as two souls brought together by a shared passion and a shared experience of worldly rejection and doubt that they must combat with a greater grasp of what they can offer the world and what the world, in turn, can offer them. They effortlessly sink into character and give the movie a tangible heart shaped by believably accumulated life experiences, living the part and not simply regurgitating what the script demands. They're accompanied by several strong supporting efforts from Adam Levine, James Corden, and Hailee Steinfeld.

Begin Again Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Begin Again looks gorgeous on Blu-ray. Anchor Bay's 1080p transfer offers a strikingly clear canvas that reveals pitch-perfect clarity and super-fine details throughout. Facial and clothing lines appear naturally complex and border on appearing filmic, even considering the HD video source. Definition extends beyond the obvious; the transfer reveals with crisp, lifelike definition wood grains, clean lines in well appointed offices, street level city dynamics, and even liquor bottle labels as seen in a few shots. Colors are equally satisfying, appearing naturally vibrant and nuanced across every surface, from well worn city shades to bright nighttime illuminated signage. Flesh tones are only ever pushed to a slight warmth when influenced by surrounding lighting to do so, and black levels are gorgeously inky and pure. There's no noise of which to speak, no banding, no blockiness, nothing to interfere with a beautiful 1080p presentation.

Begin Again Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Begin Again is a film built around music, so it's imperative that the soundtrack be up to the challenge of bring it to life. Fortunately, Anchor Bay's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack does just that. Music is beautifully dynamic yet importantly nuanced. It's big and spacious yet reveals intimate details throughout the range, from crisply defined highs to balanced yet potent lows. Listeners will no doubt appreciate the immersive, natural accuracy that brings several key moments to life and that practically transform the soundstage into various New York locales where the makeshift band performs. There's some quality city and office ambient dynamics at play throughout, with the stage brought to impressive life with basic city din, passing traffic, pedestrian chatter, and construction outside and shuffling employees and other basic office sounds inside. Dialogue is firmly delivered, enjoying pinpoint center channel accuracy and drifting about for a more naturally dynamic echoing sensation in a few key moments. Overall, this is a terrific soundtrack that perfectly suits the material.

Begin Again Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Begin Again contains a featurette and several music videos. Also included in the case is a UV digital copy voucher.

• The Making of Begin Again (1080p, 20:53): A solid basic overview piece that looks at story details and themes, character arcs, casting, the New York setting, and more.
• Lyric Music Videos (1080p): "Lost Stars" performed by Adam Levine (4:28), "Lost Stars" performed by Keira Knightley (3:59), "Tell Me If You Go Home" performed by Keira Knightley (3:38), and "Like a Fool" performed by Keira Knightley (2:32).

Begin Again Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

It's not surprising that Begin Again works as well as it does. It's a sincere, heartfelt picture about reality versus illusion, about being oneself in the world rather than becoming what the world says one should be, about challenging the status quo and daring to believe that there's more to life than crude structure and soul-draining trends. It's smartly written, wonderfully performed, and effortlessly directed. The music is catchy, too. Anchor Bay's Blu-ray release of Begin Again features striking video and audio. A few supplements are included. Highly recommended.