Faith & Film: Begin Again
Summer is the time for big blockbusters. Yet every summer in recent memory has brought a memorable independent movie made for a fraction of the blockbusters. This summer, we are fortunate to have “Begin Again.”
“Begin Again” is written and directed by John Carney, who gave us the wonderful independent movie “Once” in the Summer of 2007. That story of street musicians in Dublin went on to become an Oscar-winning film, and now a Tony-winning Broadway musical. “Begin Again” is also a story of musicians, with long sequences devoted to recording music. Also, like “Once,” “Begin Again” features interesting characters that you will come to care about.
“Begin Again” takes place in New York, rather than Dublin. Dan (Mark Ruffalo) is a music industry executive whose life is in shambles. Dan is estranged from his wife, Miriam, and teenage daughter, Violet. Changes in the music business, along with his inability to find new talent have all taken their toll on Dan. Even though he still drives a Jaguar, Dan is living in a small, seedy apartment building, apparently broke.
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