Sitting in the lobby of AMC last night, waiting for the screen to turn on, not knowing what Begin Again would be. I didn't read any introductions and movie reviews before, so going to the theater was a sudden decision. But from the moment the light came on, I believed that this was the fate I could not miss with it. Although there were only 20 or 30 people sitting in the movie hall, the 101-minute story of Begin Again is full enough to make the whole space complete, and just leave a gap for you to breathe and think. The flickering warm lights, the unreal long shots, and the eloquent narrative technique, John Carney told such a calm and seemingly conventional story just right, not sensational, not exaggerated, nor paranoid .
The story seems to be mediocre. The middle-aged music producer Hulk encounters a bottleneck. He finds out in the pub that Keira, who has been cheated on by his star boyfriend, is shocked that this is the good American voice he wants, so the two embark on a musical journey together. I found my life and found a way out. The synopsis of the story sounded so trivial, but through the lens of John Carney, I saw the music. Ten years ago, the gold-medal music producer became alcoholic, violent, and paranoid because of his stubborn pursuit of music, until he was fired from his music label, alienated from his wife, disgusted by his daughter, penniless, and living on the streets. Ten years ago, the fame overwhelmed his once inflated ego, but he did not bury a heart that loves music deeply. At the low point of his life, he saw Keira who was pulled by his friends to relax in a noisy bar. Keira's slender body was standing on the stage with an acoustic guitar on her back, and the fuchsia light hit her hair, dyed with rounds of small halos. The wine bottles collided and the voices were noisy under the stage, and she sang quietly on the stage by herself, which was not without loss. In this way, when the two were at their worst, music brought a turning point in the story. They started a music carnival. In the center of New York City, they set up their own recording studio. The rooftop, subway, streets and alleys have become their performance venues, and the sound of the city has become the most natural accompaniment in their music. . They produced not only albums, but also the original intention of music. Music gradually smoothes the wounds of people's hearts, the initial unwillingness is slowly mastered, and gradually it is enriched by greater happiness.
One beautiful night, Mark took Keira to the streets of New York. Keira's music collection was transmitted to the left and right headphones through Mark's headphone jack. At this time, their hearts were full of Happiness, the betrayal of a lover, and the alienation of a wife and daughter have been slowly healed in the jumping of notes. However, if this is where the story goes, Keira falls in love with Mark, and the two of them live happily ever after, and I'd be disappointed to question whether John Carney is too old. But the connection of music is not only the superficial love between men and women, but also the soul. The so-called soul mate is like this. Against the backdrop of the night, Dooley Wilson's deep voice slowly flowed, and Keira and Mark just looked at each other deeply, the water in their eyes swaying, as if they had done their best. It's enough to go far.
The film is also full of lovely details. Keira's good friend, the fat bearded wandering singer, sings passionately to the indifferent pedestrians on the street from beginning to end, never giving up and never becoming decadent. It was he who took Keira in without reservation, and took her to encourage her to sing for everyone, even if it seemed like no one was listening. Music is about empowering yourself, not about others.
At the end of the film, Mark healed his anger, returned to his family, and returned to life. Keira is no longer entangled in her boyfriend's betrayal, and bravely embarks on a new journey alone. In the swaying long shot at the end, Keira's figure slowly walks out of the screen covered in sunlight, and everything is full of new hope. Get ready to go again.
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