Begin Again - Another Benign Guilty Pleasure

Irish dir./screenwriter (Once) has once again made a romantic story spinning around the music industry.  This cheesy movie has a lot in the mix to make it a hit.  Greta (the beautiful Kiera Knightly) & Dave (Adam Levine) are loving partners & songwriters who are financially strapped.  Dave big break lures them from England to NYC for a major recording deal.  Dave heads out on tour leaving Greta alone in NYC. Dave does not remain alone once he get's a taste of being a rock star.  Greta wanders upon shoulder to cry on & a sofa to crash on after being heartbroken.  Greta's friend drags her along to a nightclub where he is performing and coaxes her onto the stage to perform her original folksongs.  The audience is mostly unreceptive except for Dan (the likable Mark Ruffalo) who happens to be on a  bender as a down & out former record producer, spiraling downward having lost his record company & his wife.  Dan convinces Greta he can make her a star.  But, 1st they need to assemble some musicians to be paid on the backend while filming & recording in adhoc NYC locations.  This film is not merely a romantic love story between couples, it is a serenade of love to NYC & all its many charms.  The music is by Gregg Alexander, grammy winning singer/song writer (The Game of Love.)  Knightly sings convincingly but should keep her day job.  We're treated to a concert by the Adam Levine who may  have another career as an actor.  There are so many cheesy scenes even the actors own up to it.  But give yourself over to this lighthearted, well intentioned film.  Just remember this, it's still the same old story.  A fight for love & glory.  The fundamental joys apply, as time goes by.