What is it about indie movies that make them so beautiful? Indie movies are in my opinion the best kind, they’re more honest, and they are more real. Such is the case with Begin Again.

We see famous actors in major studio made movies and the cold roles they play, but highly unlikely are we to connect with these same actors in the same way we do with them in Indie movies.

Begin Again, previously titled “Can a song save your life?” has a wonderful cast  led with a terrific performance by both Keira Knightley and Mark Ruffalo who play Greta, a musician in the making and Dan, a recently fired record label executive.

The two embark on a journey full of pain, heartbreak, joy and wonder trying to make an album with minimum means, which made me feel like I was a part of their journey and that is usually very rare.

The writing feels peaceful with a very nice atmosphere, and the dialogue crisp. Begin Again had me smiling and nodding my head to the tunes throughout the movie which brings me to its soundtrack. As Greta records her album or sings privately to her boyfriend played by Adam Levine, you can’t help but be in awe and wonder at how the music just pulls on strings within you. And of course I had to download the soundtrack to the movie the instant that I was done watching it. Whether you’re driving in the morning to work, or to relax in the evening or just staring at the night time sky, the soundtrack is something to have with you to keep you company.

Keira Knightley is my favourite actress hands down, part of it has to do with her charm, and her extraordinary talent at what she does, what really surprised me was how well she could sing. All her character’s tracks in the movie were sung by her. I played the tracks to my friends which they loved and they were stunned to find that she sang them. She has such a mellow and soothing voice that cannot keep you from lifting your spirits up or feeling her pain depending on the song.

Begin Again is one of those movies that you will indeed feel good after watching and a perfect date movie as well without being clichéd and feel like a generic studio output, Thus the magic of indie cinema. I only wish indie gems such as this were theatrically released here in Sri Lanka as well.

I give this movie an 8 out of 10 on the Aasifometer.

Reviewed by Aasif Faiz