Lilly Faye's Movie Review: Begin Again, starring Mark Ruffalo, Keira Knightley, and Adam Levine

Dear Readers,

In the movie Begin Again, Gretta (Keira Knightley) and Dave (Adam Levine) are singer-songwriters and lovers who are trying to establish music careers in New York City.

Gretta has a simple, stripped-down approach to everything, from her personal appearance to her style of music. Dave wants to be a rock star, filling stadiums with thousands of adoring fans.

When Gretta and Dave break up, Gretta deals with her pain by singing about her troubles in a rowdy bar, where Dan (Mark Ruffalo), a washed-up former record executive who drinks too much and still carries a torch for his ex-wife, has gone to drown his own sorrows.

Can Dan and Gretta save each other? Will they win their exes back? Will Dan's idea to make a record on the streets of New York launch Gretta's career and revive his own? The answers aren't as obvious as you may think.

Begin Again was filmed on location in New York City. The plot isn't complicated, but it's a lovely ride. Music plays a huge role in the movie, to the point that it's almost a character all its own.

What did you think of the movie, Diz?

Dizzie: Keira Knightley turned in a good, solid performance. She even did her own singing. Adam Levine was quite believable in his first big screen role. And Mark Ruffalo, come on! Who doesn't love that guy?

Lilly Faye: I really liked this movie. It was very romantic. I particularly liked the song, Lost Stars, which figures in the story in a big way.

You can hear Adam Levine's powerful version of it here: Lost Stars, from the movie Begin Again, sung by Adam Levine

And you can hear Keira Knightley's gentle version of it here: Lost Stars, from the movie Begin Again, sung by Keira Knightley

I can't get this song out of my head. I've been singing it all day!

Mr. Frank: If you love it that much, Doll Face, I could learn to play it for you on my tuba.

Lilly Faye: Really? That's kind of romantic, Frank.

Lilly Faye's Movie Rating: Two Paws Up!