The Music Lives On... "Begin Again"

Begin Again (2013)

Rated R

Starring Keira Knightly, Mark Ruffalo, Adam Levine, Mos Def,

Written and Directed by John Carney

The Story:

Gretta (Knightly) is a singer-songwriter who has written a song for her boyfriend (Levine) who is a popular musician. Dan (Ruffalo) is a music producer who hasn't found a hit talent in ages and he's trying to keep his career and balancing being a dad to his teen daughter.  When Dan hears Gretta sing, he knows she'll be a star.  The problem? She's got no interest in becoming a star.

Here's the complaint I give this, and many other films, so you probably already know what's coming.

This had potential to be a great film, but again, the writer (who happens to be the director) wanted to make it edgy and adult...

So he fills the film with f-bombs to get an R rating.

Did it enhance the story?

No.

All it did was ensure that the audience for this little movie that works slowly to charm and delight the audience has a much smaller audience overall than it could have.

Otherwise, make a dialogue change, and you've got a little winner of a movie that is enjoyable and rather sweet.

Thankfully, the romance that could have happened in this movie never does.

Plus, just when you think the movie is over, they give an even happier ending through the credits.


Final Grade: B-

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: I could own it and watch it again down the road. Good, but could have been better.

It's Fairly Easy To Resort To A "Life Of Crime"

Life of Crime (2013)

Rated R

Starring Jennifer Aniston, Mos Def, Tim Robbins, Isla Fisher, Will Forte, John Hawkes

Directed by Daniel Schechter

The Story:

2 Detroit hoods (Def & Hawkes) hatch a scheme to kidnap the wife (Aniston) of a local businessman (Robbins) and ransom her for a million dollars. However, he was planning on divorcing her anyway, and enjoying the company of another woman (Fisher). As he has no intention of paying...things just got complicated.

So basically, this is Ruthless People, as penned by the late, great Elmore Leonard.

It's not as funny, though there are some funny bits.

It's actually more ruthless, but only a bit.

Not up to the excellent standards of Get Shorty or Justified, but a watchable caper that builds slowly as several characters are caught up in the tangled threads of the story.

Loyalties and alliances shift throughout the film until it all comes to an end.

They got the look and feel of the 70s down pat with the cars, houses and clothing.

The problem with Elmore Leonard adaptations with great casts, you come to expect more than just a typical movie.

Sadly, at the end of the day, this winds up being just an average tale that will become forgettable.


Final Grade: C

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Nah, I think this was a one-hit wonder. Now I feel like watching Get Shorty again though. :)