★★★★★

Begin Again may well be the definition of a perfect movie. It is such a feel good movie! One can almost forgive it being set in New York. So many people have short bits in this film you see all kinds of faces you know but just can’t quite put the names to. Cee Lo Green has an excellent short stint in the film.

Adam Levine plays a pile of colon scrapings who cheats on his totally devoted girlfriend and song writer with some girl from the record label intent on sleeping her way into celebrity life. I like Adam, but, that is the thumbnail sketch of his character.

Mark Ruffalo plays a nearly washed up record executive who got fired from the label he started because he hasn’t brought in a band that sells in a long time. Out on a binder he happens to hear Keira on open mike night. One thing leads to another and he promises he will help her make an album, even though he can’t pay for the beers. Oh, his car is a hoot too.

I said Cee Lo Green had an excellent short stint and it is because his was the most critical in setting up Mark Ruffalo’s character. Mark and Keira go to Cee Lo’s crib. It’s a classic of excess. The mansion with rides parked out front that cost more than most people’s homes. After their time together is over, as Keira is walking back to Mark’s car, Cee Lo pulls her aside and says something along the lines

You have to understand. This crib. These rides. This bling. It’s all because of him.

There was much more, but I’ve mangled it enough. He basically paints it from the perspective of someone who used to be her and now is fabulously wealthy. When Mark’s character is right, he is golden right. Just hasn’t been right in quite a while. The magic hasn’t happened.

I don’t want to give too much more of Begin Again away. It’s just awesome. This was a high risk movie. With the wrong direction it could have easily devolved into a chick flick instead of turning out the way it did. Something everyone can love.

For more movie rental ideas please see list one and list two.