everything coming up roses

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bad mood, Begin Again, chocolates, Everything coming up Roses, Keira Knightly, music, photography, photos, roses, worries, writing

Today just wasn’t my day – and I don’t even really know why! Maybe it was the weather, the murky skies and the drizzle really can get to you at times. Maybe it was because I have so much to do and not enough time. Maybe it was because my writing hasn’t been going well lately and I am very much behind. Maybe it was because my money worries are just getting to me. But then maybe it was just ‘caus.

Not wanting to let the mood ruin more than today I decided to treat myself to a bunch of flowers – and lucky me they were on sale – leftover, unwanted Valentine’s roses. And then one of my lovely fellow students gave me (and the other women in class) a box of Cadbury roses for Valentine’s day – a surprise, sweet treat. So now, even though nothing has really changed, i think maybe everything is coming up roses after all!

 

Keira Knightly in Begin again – a wonderful film

 

 

Film Review: Begin Again

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Adam Levine, Begin Again, Film Review, film review Begin Again, Films, James Corden, John Carney, Keira Knightly, Mark Ruffalo, movies, Once

Dublin writer/director John Carney has ventured back into the arena of films about music with Begin Again. But unlike Once, his 2006 surprise international hit, a whole host of stars have joined him to tell the story.

When Greta’s (Keira Knightly) boyfriend Dave (Adam Levine) finds unplanned success the two singer/songwriters travel to New York where a whole new life begins to unfold. While Dave gets sucked into the world of rock stars, Greta seeks to stay authentic.

The changes in Dave lead to a break-up and Greta find’s herself alone and a little lost. Luckily for her she has one friend, a fellow Brit and street musician, Steve (James Corden) who takes her in and forces her to perform at an open-mike night.

On stage, a visibly uncomfortable, Greta is spotted by, disgraced record producer, Dan (Mark Ruffalo) and he convinces her to work with him. The two renegade music lovers decide to transform the vibrant city of New York into their recording studio and recruit a rag-tag band of musicians.

Ruffalo plays scruffy, down on his luck, producer Dan, with a sensitive touch, never one dimensional or easy. The chemistry between Ruffalo and Knightly is great and often unexpected. Knightly gives a wonderful performance, possibly her best to date, and surprises with her beautiful singing voice. Corden is fun to watch never departs too far from how we know him. Only Levine seems a little strained in his performance, never quite authentic.

Begin Again is a love letter to music and New York. It’s a story about underdogs, who won’t bow to the rules just because it’s convenient. And while Begin Again may not have the grit of Once, it is still original and tells a wonderful story. It is never twee (except for possibly the closing scene) or over-scripted, especially in the banter between Knightly and Corden is entertaining and thoroughly enjoyable.

Carney has yet again managed to create a rare gem with Begin Again and one of the best releases this year.