Begin Again

“And you have cursed me when there’s no one left to blame, and I have loved you just the same.”John Carney follows Once with a bigger, slicker New York music story in Begin Again—and Pete Wright and Andy Nelson can feel the tension. They talk about what changes when you swap Dublin’s scrappy intimacy for a polished production with Mark Ruffalo and Keira Knightley at the center, and how the film keeps circling the question of “authenticity” in both music and life.Highlights include the standout “phantom instruments” sequence (a perfect snapshot of Dan’s gift for hearing potential), the movie’s push-pull between art and business (including the “buck a book” showdown), and the way the film’s structure quietly reveals whose story it really is. Plus: Catherine Keener’s impact in limited screen time, the film’s complicated relationship with New York “texture,” and why the soundtrack choice becomes one of Pete’s biggest quibbles. The Next Reel—when the movie ends, our conversation begins.🎬 Watch & Discover🎥 See Our Full Conversation on YouTube🍿 Watch the Film: Apple TV | Amazon | Letterboxd📽️ Original Theatrical TrailerSupport The Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:Become a member for just $5/month or $55/yearJoin our Discord community of movie loversThe Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:Cinema Scope: Bridging Genres, Subgenres, and MovementsThe Film BoardMovies We LikeThe Next Reel Film PodcastSitting in the DarkConnect With Us:Main Site: WebMovie Platforms: Letterboxd | FlickchartSocial Media: Facebook | Instagram | Threads | Bluesky | YouTube | PinterestYour Hosts: Andy | PeteShop & Stream:Merch Store: Apparel, stickers, mugs & moreWatch Page: Buy/rent films we've discussedOriginals: Source material from our episodesSpecial offers: Letterboxd Pro/Patron discount | Audible