Starlight in the city

Juston 2021-11-30 08:01:26

As soon as the film opens, you are already in a small bar in New York, without any preparation. There are whispering whispers, the crisp sound of wine glasses, dim and gentle lighting, and of course, music: simple and pure vocals, fresh and smooth guitars, nothing more. But when all these come together, when the sad, sweet, and gentle singing is sung, when love, dreams, and loneliness turn into words with music, when you watch the movie "Starting Again" on the big screen, you You will feel that no matter how frustrated your life is, you should and have been blessed.

Dinosaurs accustomed to watching 3D jump from the Jurassic to the current paradise and running around, accustomed to watching superheroes fighting each other with superpowers to fight evil, accustomed to watching speeding cars, explosions, glamorous beauties, beautiful views of Dubai, and well-dressed men and women. The language talks about drugs, money, arms, stocks of trust companies, but you will think that "Starting Again" really complied with the IMAX slogan: not to watch a movie, but to walk into a movie.

That's right, "Starting Again" is almost an enhanced version of director John Carney's previous masterpiece "Once". It is a low-cost independent film like "Once Upon a Time". But you will find that watching such a movie on the big screen can actually get a more wonderful viewing experience than a commercial blockbuster: it is completely immersed and integrated into the movie, so that those street scenes, characters, and music surround you-this It is a life that allows us to follow with heart and melody. Although there is no thrilling climax scene, it allows you to fully engage, breathe together with the protagonist, hum softly in your mind with the melody in the film, and sometimes smile. , Sigh sometimes.

John Carney has made three excellent movies: "Edge of Rebellion", "Once" and "Starting Again", which have extremely good music, all of which are about a casual attitude towards life. "Range of Rebellion" is an alternative rock, just like the tune of the melon band used in its OST, it talks about the entanglement and despair in the growth of young people; "Once" is an Irish folk song, a little unruly, more modern city The loneliness, search, pain, and loss of love in "Starting Again", the scene moves to New York, the film is more like a pop ballad, and even mixed with jazz, rock, hip-hop, funk and other flavors, like A Mix tape, all songs have in common that they are fresh, warm, and moving, slightly sweet but not Kitsch.

Like "Once", the storyline of "Starting Again" is very simple, but it is a story of a lost music producer re-finding his muse. The two jointly produced a new album, used music to heal their wounds, and finally succeeded. The film uses music instead of plot as a clue to promote the development of the story, and uses the emotions brought by the music to guide the audience. Each song is delicately integrated with the plot development and the mentality of the role. The extreme simplification of the plot and narrative does not make the film seem empty and boring. You can easily get involved in the story. With the delicate feeling flowing forward, there will be no idea of ​​"a movie is just a big MV". For example, at the beginning of the film, there was a bold flashback after a long narrative, and then another flashback. From three angles, the male and female protagonists meet in a bar with songs, and the plot from the heart is clearly explained.

Since it is different from ordinary commercial movies, "Starting Again" does not watch the scenes and climax plots, but the feelings brought by the music-conveyed through some very subtle passages: in the bar, Dan listens to Greta's guitar accompaniment Singing a cappella, imagine the addition of various orchestration, so that the music is presented in front of the audience in a three-dimensional and visual form, which is interesting and informative; Greta listened to a few new songs by her boyfriend Dave and looked into his eyes without a single sentence. Suddenly slapped him, and asked him who the song was written for? It’s the so-called music teaser, the heart is in it, and you can’t hide it. The bands gathered together are recording in the alleys and rooftops, accompanied by the surrounding city noises, even roaring and sirens, making you feel more comfortable and contented. The tunes flow from the heart; at the end, Greta watched her ex-boyfriend on the stage sing the theme song "Lost Stars" in the way she suggested, but she was not invited to come on stage. I stood and watched at the exit, and then quietly left...

Everything in "Starting Again" is like the song in the film, clear, light, soft, and some strong things are under the music. It needs a taste. Touch yourself like wine. It's like the feelings of the hero and heroine, making you unclear about love? Is it friendship? Is it mutual appreciation? mutual attraction? Sympathize with each other? The two went round and round, composing a heart song together, but they never talked about love. What seemed to happen when they returned to the house once, but the little fat man smashed the opportunity; the two held hands shopping like Parker and Hepburn in "Roman Holiday". Listening to the playlists in their mobile phones, looking at all kinds of people on the street, but not kissing in the music and the night... At the end, the two people who finished recording the album will be parting. Greta fixedly looked at Dan, feeling It seemed to last for ten seconds, and finally just walked away indifferently.

Just like the lyrics of the theme song "Lost Stars", "Are we all lost stars? Still trying to light up the darkness?" Everyone in the city feels lonely, confused, and powerless, and wants to find warmth and find Rely on, the most important thing: find the purpose and motivation of life. Then look up, look at the stars in the city, and listen to the wonderful music. You will feel that no matter how frustrated your life is, you should and have been blessed.

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Extended Reading
  • Delia 2021-11-30 08:01:26

    I know it is not perfect. I know how it feels to fall in love with the music life, and I also remember how he felt when he started writing songs to other women. KK is much better than I thought. Mark and Adam are two stages, don't be someone's fucking muse, just remember this moment. Sharing playlists on the street used to be the rule of love when I was young, but now it doesn’t matter anymore. Thinking of this, I cried again. Mark played very well, I love every moment.

  • Blaise 2022-04-01 09:01:04

    It's not as moving as Once, and there isn't a single song in it that gives me goosebumps. PS Can anyone explain to me how she heard him cheating from the song in 30 seconds...

Begin Again quotes

  • Greta: Are you really an A & R man? You look more like a homeless man.

  • Steve: The world's first Jag mobile recording studio is done!