Begin Again

R

Released Jul 2, 2014

1 hr. 44 min.

Comedy

Drama

Romance

Music

List

83%

168 Reviews

Tomatometer

81%

25,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Gretta (Keira Knightley) and her songwriting partner/lover Dave (Adam Levine) head for New York when he lands a record deal with a major label. However, Gretta is suddenly left on her own when Dave gives in to the temptations that come with his newfound success. Things take a turn for the better for her when Dan (Mark Ruffalo), a disgraced record executive, discovers Gretta performing in a club. A mutually life-changing bond forms between the pair as they work together on Gretta's first album.

Read More

Read Less

Watch on Fandango at Home

Premiered Jun 20

Buy Now

Fandango at Home

Prime Video

Paramount+

Apple TV

Watch Begin Again with a subscription on Prime Video, Paramount+, rent on Fandango at Home, Apple TV, or buy on Fandango at Home, Apple TV.

Critics Consensus

Writer-director John Carney's return to musical drama isn't quite as potent as it was with Once, but thanks to charming work from its well-matched leads, Begin Again is difficult to resist.

Read Critics Reviews

KB B

This was such an exceptional movie with great acting and storyline. Mark Ruffalo was excellent as usual. The ending was such a nice twist. It's definitely worth the watch.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/10/24

Full Review

Conrad C

A good movie with a spectacular soundtrack, "Begin Again" commits to original music and authentic performances. This movie is unafraid to tell this story in the way it wants, drawing out certain scenes and performances longer than necessary, but if you're engrossed than you don't mind. In a movie with a lot of music, I would not have objected to hearing even more of Keira Knightley.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/14/24

Full Review

R. P

It's just a collection of clichés.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/09/24

Full Review

C S

Very likeable characters, lovely soundtrack, enjoyable and satisfying way to spend a couple of hours.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/01/24

Full Review

Don T

I've watched it twice and listening to the soundtrack now!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/25/23

Full Review

Alec B

The film demands that this kind of cliched hipster fantasy be enduring but it only becomes increasingly more frustrating and grating as it goes on.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

11/10/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Post a rating

John Carney

Director

Keira Knightley

Gretta

Mark Ruffalo

Dan

Hailee Steinfeld

Violet

Adam Levine

Dave

Catherine Keener

Miriam

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

95%

93%

Hundreds of Beavers

TRAILER

for Hundreds of Beavers

67%

33%

The Stranger

TRAILER

for The Stranger

50%

93%

The Stolen Valley

TRAILER

for The Stolen Valley

93%

95%

Dune: Part Two

TRAILER

for Dune: Part Two

71%

60%

Immaculate

TRAILER

for Immaculate

82%

75%

In the Land of Saints and Sinners

TRAILER

for In the Land of Saints and Sinners

67%

90%

Sweet Dreams

TRAILER

for Sweet Dreams

56%

88%

DogMan

TRAILER

for DogMan

%

%

An American Bombing: The Road to April 19th

TRAILER

for An American Bombing: The Road to April 19th

%

29%

Jimmy Carr: Natural Born Killer

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

50 Movies & TV Shows to Netflix and Chill with This Valentine’s Day

Mark Ruffalo’s Best-Reviewed Movies

Best-Reviewed Movies Produced by Judd Apatow

View more photos

Cath Clarke

Time Out

What makes it special is that it's not another romance about finding a man. It's about finding your people, about being a bit lost in your twenties.

Rated: 4/5

Jul 2, 2020

Full Review

Alissa Wilkinson

Christianity Today

Begin Again is the best sort of summer movie, with great performances and a solid core. It's clearly a work that comes from love shared by people who enjoyed making it, and that makes it fun for us to watch out in the audience, too.

Rated: 3.5/4

Apr 13, 2016

Full Review

Evan Williams

The Australian

I've seen happier endings in Oklahoma! and Singin' in the Rain, but this one feels genuine - and in an unexpected way, deeply satisfying.

Rated: 3.5/5

Aug 11, 2014

Full Review

Fausto Fernandez

Fotogramas

A variation of A Star is Born... But an optimist, kind, luminous and magical [take] led by a marvelous, sentimental humanist fable about second chances. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 4/5

Jun 27, 2022

Full Review

Danielle Solzman

Solzy at the Movies

In a perfect world, Begin Again would have been up for Best Picture and more.

Aug 17, 2021

Full Review

Rhian Daly

NME (New Musical Express)

Keira Knightley and Mark Ruffalo come together to make an al fresco album in this charming film.

Rated: 3.5/5

Jun 15, 2021

Full Review

Read all reviews

Synopsis

Gretta (Keira Knightley) and her songwriting partner/lover Dave (Adam Levine) head for New York when he lands a record deal with a major label. However, Gretta is suddenly left on her own when Dave gives in to the temptations that come with his newfound success. Things take a turn for the better for her when Dan (Mark Ruffalo), a disgraced record executive, discovers Gretta performing in a club. A mutually life-changing bond forms between the pair as they work together on Gretta's first album.

Director: John Carney
Executive Producer: Nigel Sinclair, Guy East, Sam Hoffman, Tom Rice, Ben Nearn
Screenwriter: John Carney
Distributor: Weinstein Co.
Production Co: Apatow Productions, Exclusive Media, Sycamore Pictures, Likely Story
Rating: R (Language)
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance, Music
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 2, 2014, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 17, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $16.2M

Most Popular at Home Now