Thursday, December 12, 2024

Great Mark Ruffalo-Keira Knightley Film Gets Strange Name Change, to Close Tribeca

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The best film seen at last fall’s Toronto Film Fest was John Carney’s “Can a Song Save Your Life?” Now for some reason it’s been re-titled “Begin Again.” Why? The original title summed up the unique tone of what could be a big hit and an awards contender next fall. The other news is that “Can a Song Save Your Life”– er, “Begin Again”– will close the Tribeca Film Festival.

I’m worried about this film. With wonderful, catchy songs by Gregg Alexander and Danielle Brisebois, this movie — from the director of “Once”– is a charmer beyond all limits. Ruffalo plays a crazy former record exec down on his luck who’s discovered Knightley. It’s set in New York, making it “Once”-like with a new flavor. There’s an unexpectedly terrific performance from the ubiquitous Adam Levine of Maroon 5 and “The Voice.”

Last fall, everyone at Toronto was excited about this film. So we’ll “Begin Again” — whatever that means– and hope that Tribeca will start to build word of mouth for this gem.

Roger Friedman
Roger Friedmanhttps://www.showbiz411.com
Roger Friedman began his Showbiz411 column in April 2009 after 10 years with Fox News, where he created the Fox411 column. His movie reviews are carried by Rotten Tomatoes, and he is a member of both the movie and TV branches of the Critics Choice Awards. His articles have appeared in dozens of publications over the years including New York Magazine, where he wrote the Intelligencer column in the mid 90s and covered the OJ Simpson trial, and Fox News (when it wasn't so crazy) where he covered Michael Jackson. He is also the writer and co-producer of "Only the Strong Survive," a selection of the Cannes, Sundance, and Telluride Film festivals, directed by DA Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus.

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