--- title: "Begin Again: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/begin-again/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/begin-again" critics_score: 60 critics_reviews: 21 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Begin Again (2013): what the critics said Critics' score 60 from 21 reviews: 10 positive, 5 mixed, 6 negative. The reviews lean towards affection, though agreement is limited: Begin Again’s warmth wins over many critics without settling doubts about its story. Praise clusters around Ruffalo’s rumpled charm, his chemistry with Knightley, and the pleasure of watching people make music together. Several critics single out the sequence imagining a song with a full arrangement, while the shared listening and Manhattan walks help make the film’s sweetness persuasive for its supporters. The spread is wide, and even favourable reviews acknowledge contrivance, thin supporting relationships or familiar storytelling. More sceptical critics find the polish damaging, arguing that the music and emotional troubles feel too tidily handled; comparisons with Once are often unfavourable. The songs and Knightley’s voice divide opinion particularly sharply: The Wrap enjoys her sweet singing and the catchy material, while Evening Standard finds her singing unconvincing and the film phoney. ## Empire — Ian Freer Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 20 June 2014. Freer finds the film lovely, open-hearted and uplifting, though it may not reach the heights of Once. He especially praises the chemistry between Knightley and Ruffalo and Carney’s joyful depiction of creating music together. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/begin-review/) ## Radio Times — Stephen Carty Rating 4/5. Carty describes the film as an uplifting crowd-pleaser. He singles out its music-led story of healing and the unconventional street-recorded album. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-m7lte8/begin-again/) ## Time Out — Cath Clarke Rating 4/5. 7 July 2014. Clarke’s four-star rating signals a favorable verdict. The description singles out the film’s infectiously sweet, sincere tone, while warning that it may make some viewers cringe. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/begin-again) ## Slant Magazine — David Lee Dallas Rating 3/4. 23 June 2014. The review finds the film’s lively, intoxicating energy compelling, though its character storylines can feel thin and predictable. It particularly praises how the music becomes a mutable force for connection between people. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/begin-again/) ## IndieWire — Eric Kohn Rating B-. 26 June 2014. Festival review. Kohn finds the film charming and relatable in places, but ultimately too mannered and conventional. He praises the actors’ credibility and the musical moment that imagines Gretta’s song coming alive with a producer and band. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/culture/review-does-the-keira-knightley-starring-begin-again-celebrate-the-music-industry-or-critique-it-24866/) ## Vulture — David Edelstein Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 27 June 2014. Edelstein finds the musical charming and entertaining, despite its lapses into cliché. He praises Ruffalo’s rumpled comic performance and Knightley’s singing, while faulting the overly polished street recordings. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/2014/06/movie-review-begin-again-keira-knightley-mark-ruffalo-once-director.html) ## The New Yorker Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 7 July 2014. The critic finds the film sappy but engaging, with an easygoing style that supports its wish-fulfilling story. The songs’ development and the musicians’ enthusiasm are singled out as its central charms. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/goings-on-about-town/movies/begin-again-2) ## RogerEbert.com Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). The review’s verdict is unavailable because the page shows only a browser check. Its praise or complaint cannot be verified. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/begin-again-2014) ## The AV Club — Ignatiy Vishnevetsky Rating C+. 26 June 2014. The critic finds the film overstuffed and often corny, though it occasionally works. He singles out the tavern sequence imagining Gretta’s song as a full studio arrangement as its standout moment. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/begin-again-is-little-more-than-a-let-s-put-on-a-show-1798180776) ## Los Angeles Times — Kenneth Turan Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 26 June 2014. Turan finds the film contrived and less effective than John Carney’s Once, despite its appealing intentions. He singles out the music and Carney’s cinematic way of filming performances as the film’s strongest qualities. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-begin-again-review-20140627-column.html) ## The Independent — Geoffrey Macnab Fi1m's normalised score 35/100 (inferred from the text). 11 July 2014. The review finds the film overly optimistic and lacking in emotional stakes. It praises Ruffalo’s character work but criticizes the songs as vapid and the film’s treatment of Dan’s troubles as glib. [Read the review](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/begin-again-film-review-keira-knightley-is-on-song-for-john-carney-s-fairy-tale-of-new-york-9598912.html) ## The Guardian — Paul MacInnes Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). Festival review. The critic finds the film implausible and unsuccessful. The review singles out its music-business story as falling short of plausibility. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/series/first-look-review+begin-again) ## Evening Standard — Charlotte O'Sullivan Fi1m's normalised score 20/100 (inferred from the text). 31 May 2015. O’Sullivan finds the film phoney and overly smooth, despite its promising setup. She particularly criticizes Knightley’s singing and the contrived makeover-and-guitar-solo subplot. [Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/begin-again-film-review-can-keira-knightley-sing-yes-did-i-enjoy-hearing-her-sing-no-9599372.html) ## Digital Spy — Emma Dibdin Fi1m's normalised score 78/100 (inferred from the text). 9 July 2014. Dibdin finds the film captivating and uplifting, with the central couple’s chemistry carrying it past weaker supporting relationships. She especially praises the original songs and the romantic sequence of Greta and Dan walking through Manhattan together. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a583082/begin-again-review-keira-knightley-stars-in-beguiling-musical-romance/) ## Eye for Film — Angus Wolfe Murray Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 2 July 2014. The critic finds the film sweet and affecting despite its reliance on rom-com conventions. Ruffalo’s scruffy intensity and Knightley’s natural grace are singled out for praise. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/begin-again-2013-film-review-by-angus-wolfe-murray) ## NME — Mark Adams Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). The review finds the film a tender, charming romantic comedy. It especially praises the nighttime Manhattan walk where Greta and Dan share their favourite songs. [Read the review](https://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews-various-artists-15470-306017) ## The Wrap — Alonso Duralde Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 26 June 2014. The critic finds the film overly contrived but ultimately charming and enjoyable. The catchy songs and Keira Knightley’s sweet singing are singled out as its strongest delights. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/begin-again-review-keira-knightley-mark-ruffalo-john-carney-once/) ## Paste — Christine N. Ziemba Rating 6.9/10. 27 June 2014. Ziemba finds the film polished and enjoyable but less raw and emotionally resonant than Once. She praises Ruffalo and Knightley’s performances, while faulting the songs for lacking emotional impact. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/begin-again) ## Collider — Matt Goldberg Rating C+. 28 June 2014. Festival review. Goldberg finds the film good-natured but too polished and safe to be especially rewarding. He praises the cast, particularly Mark Ruffalo, while faulting the film for lacking the personal musical voice it celebrates. [Read the review](https://collider.com/begin-again-review/) ## Consequence — Blake Goble Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 9 July 2014. Goble finds the film a disappointing, overproduced retread of Once. He praises its intimate melodrama when it is stripped down, but faults its desperate execution and excessive talk. [Read the review](https://consequence.net/2014/07/film-review-begin-again/) ## The Playlist Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 30 June 2014. The review characterizes the film as predictable and lukewarm. The headline singles out its predictable approach as a complaint. [Read the review](https://theplaylist.net/review-predictable-and-lukewarm-begin-again-starring-mark-ruffalo-keira-knightley-20140630/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/begin-again.md