Begin Again (2014) – Review

Review: Begin Again is a sweet music drama about picking yourself up off the ground when life gets you down (while also taking a few shots at the commercial music industry).

The film is about Greta and Dan. Greta is a songwriter who comes to America with her boyfriend Dave, a singer on the verge of becoming a rock star. As he blows up, they break up after Dave cheats on her while he is on the road leaving her alone in New York City, with only a friend’s couch to sleep on. Greta is devastated because she had always felt like they were a team (even working on music together) and he abandoned her. Meanwhile, Dan is a record producer and co-owner of an indie label; however, things are not going well for him either. He has been on a long slide and is an alcoholic. Things have become so bad that his ex-wife and daughter feel slightly estranged and his music partners have thrown him out of the business. He has nothing left. Greta and Dan come together when Dan sees and hears Greta (in a state of anguish) perform one of her songs. It seems to pull him out of his stupor and invigorates him to make and album with her. Maybe they can help each other move on and begin again (see what I did there…).

Writer-director John Carney presents Begin Again as a modern musical – one in which the music aspects of the drama come in the form of performed songs by musicians, songs that also double as emotional outlets for the characters. In this regard, Carney has done quite well. The songs and music work very well within the construct of the narrative. The music is by no means groundbreaking or amazing, but it seems to fit nicely into today’s rock/pop genre, and most importantly it gets its message across (speaking for what the characters are feeling). I also did enjoy the typical musical cliché montages (they are almost always great) like “finding the band” or “making the album”.

Carney also uses his narrative to raise very directed criticisms with the commercial music industry. Carney certainly finds himself on the side of musicians and artistic integrity. The film to some extent berates the industry for over commercializing and focusing on other aspects than the music (which theoretically should be the most important aspect). Carney is a proponent of what seems like music’s future: one in which there are no all-powerful record labels and bands promote themselves and solely release music online (basically turning every band into an indie band), theoretically doing away with the commercialization of music and musicians (major labels to some extent dictate what gets played on the radio, which then in turn seems to force popular music to all sort of sound the same so that it may appeal to the masses, and thereby artistry, creativity, and the soul of music is lost – this is what Carney is fighting against). This viewpoint is nice in theory, but also feels a little naïve.

The strongest feature of Begin Again is its characters Greta and Dan (but especially Greta). Carney goes out of his way in the narrative to fully flesh out the characters and make them relatable for the audience, by giving them many character moments and full back stories. This works very well and pays off, especially when the characters then perform their music. I also liked that Carney does not feel the need to make the film into a clichéd romantic comedy with Greta and Dan falling in love. That is too easy, and it would not have allowed the characters to really grow and move on with their lives past the low points that the audience first finds them in. Their narrative arcs would feel cheapened.

Begin Again, however, does not quite have the emotional weight that it could have or probably should have. Carney seems intent on keeping things rather light, when the emotions and issues that Greta and Dan face are fairly heavy. This, thusly, creates sort of an emotional disconnect and leaves the film feeling less satisfying on an emotional level. Carney also has a big issue with the ending feeling very unsubstantial (something that he tries to rescue with a decent scene during the credits). There is not a sense of real closure to the film, which is disappointing because the audience does care about Greta and Dan and wants to see their story(ies) tied up in a meaningful way, and Carney just seems to miss this narrative moment. Possibly, this unsatisfying feeling stems from Carney not having Greta and Dan end up together when we, as the audience, are somewhat hardwired by film’s narrative language (especially based on hundreds of recent similar narrative films) to expect and maybe even want that ending. Mostly, however, it feels like Carney just could not come up with a strong enough ending while keeping the tone light throughout.

Overall, Begin Again works and succeeds on what its sets out to be. It is an entertaining lighthearted musical drama with strong character performances and good (enough) music. What is disappointing, however, is that it could have been very powerful. It just never really seems to have that ambition.

Technical, aesthetic & acting achievements: Many film fans know John Carney for his amazing and emotionally powerful film Once, and thus probably hoped that Begin Again would follow suit; however, Carney has seemingly sought out to make a film with a broader appeal and has thus made something far more lighthearted tonally (which is somewhat ironic, considering the film’s clear appeal for artistic integrity over commercialization). That said, however, I do not see this cynically as Carney chiefly trying to make a generic Hollywood film, as Begin Again clearly is not that; it stylistically and narratively firmly has its roots in independent film. I just think he tried to make something different and it just did not come off quite as well. Fans of his work should still enjoy the film though.

As mentioned in the review, the film’s music is well suited. The score and songs mostly written by Gregg Alexander (of the New Radicals) have some very good moments and are performed beautifully by the cast. Yaron Orbach’s cinematography is also very good. The film has a very naturalistic look and takes full advantage of New York City’s inherent charms. Chad Keith’s production design too is naturalistic, creating a world that feel very authentic for the characters to inhabit (doing part of the actors’ job for them).

Begin Again features a few musician cameos like CeeLo Green and Yasiim Bey and good work from actors in small roles, chiefly from Catherine Keener. Hailee Steinfeld is good as Dan’s daughter Violet. Her character seems to serve Dan’s character arc more than her own, but Steinfeld nonetheless brings her to life with fun, slightly edgy energy. James Corden is fantastic as Greta’s friend Steve. He is very funny and seems to steal all his scenes by pulling all the attention. Adam Levine is also good as Greta’s rock star boyfriend Dave. I am not very familiar with his work with Maroon 5, but he sure can sing. Mark Ruffalo brings a lot of depth to Dan. His performance to some extent feels like a clichéd caricature of the typical sort of wacky “indie music guy” but Ruffalo also has a real sadness, making the first level feel like it is just an act to try and hide his immense pain. He brings layers to what would in most cases been a fairly straightforward performance and character. Keira Knightley is easily the best part of Begin Again. She can sing (despite not being a singer in any regard), helped along by songs that suit her voice. She is incredibly charming and likable as Greta, pulling the audience in, and nails all the dramatic moments as well. I will say, however, that she is maybe not completely right for the character. She is far too inherently cool. Throughout the film, she is stylishly dressed and seemingly effortlessly alluring and fashionable (reminding me of Audrey Hepburn in Funny Face a bit), when Greta feels like a woman that would not be very fashion forward, not necessarily ugly or unkempt, but just not as put together in terms of style and overall look. But regardless of all that, Knightley is wonderful in the film.

Summary & score: Begin Again has a good set of songs (a key ingredient to any musical), strong leading performances, and a good message, but is a little let down by its upbeat nature when deeper emotion would have made it all the more dynamic. 6/10

At the Movies – July 2014 – Part 1: Independent Films

Art-House Dramas:

Life Itself – Documentary/Biography – Jul 4

Plot Summary: The film looks at the life of film critic Roger Ebert. Key Filmmakers Involved: Director Steve James. Quality Potential: High. Steve James is best known for his excellent documentary Hoop Dreams, but he also made the well-received docs The Interrupters and The Invisible War and thus should do a good job with the material here. Roger Ebert lived a very entertaining life: writing movies, commentating on society, and of course reviewing films. He is probably the most famous of all critics, film or otherwise, and this is a must-see for those interested in film, criticism, and the man himself. Trailer: Here.

Boyhood – Drama – Jul 11

Plot Summary: This coming-of-age story focuses on Mason, a boy of five years, and how he grows into a young man. Key Filmmakers Involved: Writer-director Richard Linklater. Actors Involved: Ellar Coltrane, Patricia Arquette, Lorelei Linklater, and Ethan Hawke. Quality Potential: High. Boyhood is ambitious unlike any film made before it. Richard Linklater and his actors periodically shot scenes over the course of twelve years allowing the actors (particularly Ellar Coltrane) to grow up before the audience’s eyes. It is a very good drama that has performed exceptionally well during its screenings on the festival circuit. It may very well even be an Oscar contender. This is a must-see for fans of great independent dramas and filmmaking. Linklater has done something special with this film. Trailer: Here.

I Origins – Drama/Sci-Fi – Jul 18

Plot Summary: A molecular biologist and his laboratory partner make a discovery that could fundamentally change everything about modern society. Key Filmmakers Involved: Writer-director Mike Cahill. Actors Involved: Michael Pitt, Brit Marling, Astrid Berges-Frisbey, and Steven Yeun. Quality Potential: Medium. Mike Cahill’s first feature film was Another Earth (also staring Brit Marling), which was a good psychological sci-fi drama. I Origins looks like another good sci-fi drama along the same lines. It performed well at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, winning one of the feature film awards. It is worth checking out for fans of more cerebral sci-fi. Trailer: Here.

Art-House Comedies:

Begin Again – Musical/Romance – Jul 4

Plot Summary: Dan is a struggling music executive who has just lost his job. Greta is a young songwriter who was just dumped by her boyfriend on his way to music stardom. Dan and Greta’s paths cross when Dan hears Greta performing in a small bar in New York City. Something catches Dan’s ear and he goes out of his way to try and get an album made for Greta. Key Filmmakers Involved: Writer-director John Carney and executive producer Judd Apatow. Actors Involved: Mark Ruffalo, Keira Knightley, Hailee Steinfeld, Catherine Keener, Adam Levine, Yasiin Bey, James Corden, and CeeLo Green. Quality Potential: Medium. There are a few reasons to get a little excited about Begin Again. It has a good cast. It is a musical that does not seem too over-the-top and features a few very popular musicians in supporting roles. And chiefly, it is a new musical romance from John Carney who gave us the brilliant musical romance Once (if you have not seen this, do so). Also, the film was met with mostly positive buzz at last year’s Toronto International Film Festival (playing more as a crowd favorite than critic favorite), and it should serve as nice alternative programing to the summer’s blockbusters – maybe a good date movie. Trailer: Here.

Mood Indigo – Romance Dramedy – Jul 18

Plot Summary: Colin is a wealthy, inventive bachelor who is deeply in love with Chloe. Their love could be cut short however as Chloe is diagnosed with a rare illness caused by a flower growing in her lungs. Colin now must do everything he can to find a cure. Key Filmmakers Involved: Writer-director Michel Gondry. Actors Involved: Romain Duris, Audrey Tautou, Gad Elmaleh, Omar Sy, Aissa Maiga, and Charlotte Le Bon. Quality Potential: Medium. Mood Indigo played to mixed reviews when it opened in France last year, but that said I still think it looks fantastic. It reminds me a lot of another Michel Gondry film I like a lot called The Science of Sleep. The cast is also fantastic, featuring many of my favorite French actors (like Romain Duris, Audrey Tautou, and Gad Elmaleh – plus relative newcomer Omar Sy is brilliant in The Intouchables and should be great in this too). This is definitely worth checking out for fans of Gondry’s fantasy-like style. Trailer: Here.

Wish I Was Here – Dramedy – Jul 18

Plot Summary: Aidan Bloom is at a crossroads in his life. He is 35 years old but things are not exactly how he imagined they would be as a younger man. His acting career has never taken off, and he feels that his life has no purpose. He is married with two kids, but their education is paid for by his father; however, things change when his father gets sick and can no longer afford to pay. Now, Bloom must homeschool his two kids. Spending time with them seems to bring something out in him that was always missing. Key Filmmakers Involved: Writer-director-producer Zach Braff. Actors Involved: Zach Braff, Joey King, Jim Parsons, Josh Gad, Kate Hudson, Ashley Greene, Mandy Patinkin, Donald Faison, Pierce Gagnon, James Avery, and Michael Weston. Quality Potential: Medium. Wish I Was Here is the long awaited feature follow-up to Garden State from Zach Braff (ten years), and it looks very much in the same style and tone. As a big fan of Garden State (it spoke to me at that time in my life), I am interested to see what Braff has to say now. He crowd-funded the film (following in the footsteps of Veronica Mars) and put together a strong cast. The film has been fairly well received during its festival circuit screenings. It is worth checking out for fans of Braff’s work. Trailer: Here.

Most Anticipated Films of 2013 – Part 2: Prestige and Fun Films

Prestige Films:

Title: The Counselor

Release: November 15

Genre: Crime Drama

Plot: When a lawyer gets himself involved in drug trafficking, he finds that he is in way over his head.

Director: Ridley Scott

Main Cast: Brad Pitt, Javier Bardem, Michael Fassbender, Cameron Diaz, and Penelope Cruz

Why It’s Anticipated: Simple. The Counselor features a great director in Ridley Scott who has made good thrillers with Body of Lies and Black Hawk Down recently. And, it has an even better cast with Brad Pitt, Javier Bardem, Michael Fassbender, and Penelope Cruz. Plus, it is written by Cormac McCarthy, the author responsible for No Country for Old Men and The Road (this is his first feature screenplay). This has definite potential to be a critical and commercial hit.

Editor’s Thoughts: The only blemish on this film is that it also stars Cameron Diaz in addition to the wonderful principal group. She is fine, but cannot play dramatically intense scenes and is noticeably suspect when acting against talented people (see Gangs of New York). Ridley Scott is also a little hit or miss with his films, but this seems to be right in his wheel-house and should have a good script (which is important for the quality of his work). I think it is very likely that it turns out to be among the best films of the year.

Trailer (if available): Here

Title: Trance

Release: Fall

Genre: Crime Drama, Thriller

Plot: Simon, an art auctioneer, helps a group of criminals steal a painting, but is hit on the head during the heist and cannot remember where he stashed it. The criminals bring in a hypnotherapist to find the memory.

Director: Danny Boyle

Main Cast: James McAvoy, Rosario Dawson, and Vincent Cassel

Why It’s Anticipated: Danny Boyle has been making awards friendly films lately with 127 Hours and Slum Dog Millionaire, but his fans know him better for his great and gritty thrillers (28 Days Later… and Shallow Grave) and of course his breakthrough hit Trainspotting (dealing with heroin addicts in Edinburgh). I also really like his sci-fi film Sunshine (mixing a thriller with sort of a classic style cerebral sci-fi film). Trance feels much more like the old Danny Boyle style films – which is great.

Editor’s Thoughts: Trance looks like a manic crime thriller, that also feels like a much more raw version of Inception (Anthony Dod Mantle’s digital photography being partially the reason). Boyle is also working again with one of his great early collaborators: writer John Hodge (who wrote Boyle’s first four films), which is why it probably feels so much more like his early work (based on the trailer). We should all be excited for Boyle’s return to the crime thriller.

Trailer (if available): Here

Title: 12 Years a Slave

Release: Fall

Genre: Drama

Plot: Solomon Northup lives in New York in the mid-1800s. And then, one day he is kidnapped and sold into slavery in the Deep South.

Director: Steve McQueen

Main Cast: Brad Pitt, Benedict Cumberbatch, Michael Fassbender, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Quvenzhane Wallis

Why It’s Anticipated: Writer-director Steve McQueen has only made two films (Hunger and Shame) but he can already be called an auteur. He is one of the great new talents in independent cinema. He alone is a good reason to be very excited for this film, but he has also put together a phenomenal cast. It includes Brad Pitt, Michael Fassbender (this is his third collaboration with McQueen), Chiwetel Ejiofor (who stars as Solomon; he is one of the most underrated actors right now), Benedict Cumberbatch (who is about to have a massive 2013), Sarah Paulson, Paul Dano, Paul Giamatti, Michael K. Williams (from Broadwalk Empire and The Wire), Garret Dillahunt (a fantastic character actor), Scoot McNairy (one of the great breakthrough actors of 2012 with Argo and Killing Them Softly), and Dwight Henry and Quvenzhane Wallis (who both starred in Beasts of the Southern Wild). I am not sure that there is a better cast in 2013 (well, unless Terrence Malick’s two upcoming films not named To the Wonder do come out, then they are also in the conversation for best cast).

Editor’s Thoughts: While Django Unchained offered a potentially exaggerated view of slavery in the Deep South to make a point, McQueen will likely create a very realistic portrayal of life, which will probably be more intense and affecting than the theatrics of Quentin Tarantino’s film. McQueen has yet to have a crossover film into the mainstream. No one saw Hunger or knew about it when it came out. Its merit eventually brought viewers to it (and the Criterion Collection released a wonderful Blu-ray version of the film as well). Shame had a lot of Oscar potential for both the film and especially stars Michael Fassbender and Carey Mulligan, but its focus (being sex addiction) was too graphic, dark or intense for mainstream audiences. Twelve Years a Slave could be his first big hit with larger audiences due to its name stars, and the subject material seemingly would appeal more to Oscar voters. I think it has a lot of potential to be the best film of 2013.

Trailer (if available): Here

Title: The Wolf of Wall Street

Release: Fall

Genre: Crime Drama

Plot: Jordan Belfort is a successful stockbroker on Wall Street. However, things become difficult for him when he is asked to cooperate on a large case involving securities fraud and mob infiltration in the corporate banking world.

Director: Martin Scorsese

Main Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, Matthew McConaughey, Kyle Chandler, and Jean Dujardin

Why It’s Anticipated: Martin Scorsese is working again with two of his best recent collaborators: writer Terence Winter and star Leonardo DiCaprio. Winter and Scorsese worked together on the pilot episode of Boardwalk Empire (which Winter created/wrote and Scorsese directed and executively produced). DiCaprio and Scorsese have worked together four times prior to this film, garnering Scorsese his only Oscar (for The Departed). The supporting cast is also very good. Matthew McConaughey is continuing his resurgence after a strong 2012, and this is Jean Dujardin’s first big project since The Artist made him a star in America.

Editor’s Thoughts: While Hugo was okay, I am happy to see Scorsese return to serious drama. This project seems like a great fit for him, and it will be interesting if he can make the first great feature film involving the ‘villainy’ of Wall Street in the wake of the financial crisis. So far, there have been a few good movies (Too Big to Fail, Arbitrage, and Margin Call have their moments), but nothing great (the best piece on the subject is the documentary Inside Job).

Trailer (if available): Here

Title: Terrence Malick’s 2013 projects: Knight of Cups and a film still untitled

Release: Fall or 2014 (or beyond?)

Genre: Drama, Romance, Music

Plot: Knight of Cups is about a man, temptations, celebrity, and excess, while the untitled film is about two intersecting love triangles involving obsession and betrayal set against the music scene of Austin, Texas.

Director: Terrence Malick

Main Cast: Christian Bale, Natalie Portman, Ryan Gosling, Rooney Mara, and Cate Blanchett

Why It’s Anticipated: Terrence Malick is one of the great American auteurs. Typically, it is years between films, and yet he might have three films coming out in 2013 (following The Tree of Life which came out in 2011). Malick is again working with cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki and production designer Jack Fisk. Their collaboration has yielded some of the most beautiful photography in recent memory (The New World and The Tree of Life are both visually tremendous). The cast across both films is brilliant as well, filled with wonderful actors: Christian Bale, Natalie Portman, Teresa Palmer, Cate Blanchett, Antonio Banderas, Wes Bentley, Joel Kinnaman, Imogen Poots, Holly Hunter, Isabel Lucas, Shea Whigham, Thomas Lennon, Ryan O’Neal, Freida Pinto, Jamie Harris, Ryan Gosling, Michael Fassbender, Val Kilmer, Berenice Marlohe, Boyd Holbrook, Haley Bennett, and Florence Welch (now, the question is who will actually make it into the final cut of the films – Malick is known for shooting way more material than he needs, for example the first cut of The Thin Red Line was five hours).

Editor’s Thoughts: I have a theory that Knight of Cups and the as of now untitled film are really companion pieces. No one else is saying this, so this is pure speculation, but it just strikes me as curious that these two films were essentially shot at the same time and both star Bale, Portman, and Blanchett. I love all of Malick’s work, so these films are among the things I am most excited to see. And yes, even though it got a mixed response last year during its festival screenings, I do want to see To the Wonder too (his third film scheduled for 2013 – and the only one that is for sure actually coming out this year).

Trailer (if available): Here

Fun Films:

Title: The Bling Ring

Release: Summer

Genre: Crime Drama

Plot: Based on actual events, a group of fame-obsessed teenagers led by Nicki decides to rob celebrities’ homes.

Director: Sofia Coppola

Main Cast: Emma Watson, Leslie Mann, and Taissa Farmiga

Why It’s Anticipated: Sofia Coppola is still considered one of the great indie filmmakers right now because of Lost in Translation (her masterpiece), but her other films also have a fantastic style and aesthetic to them (I do like Marie Antoinette and Somewhere). However, the bigger draw might be star Emma Watson taking on her first leading role since Harry Potter. She is currently atop her age group with Jennifer Lawrence, Kristen Stewart, and Emma Stone, but the behavior of moviegoers seems to be changing. Before, star power would bring in viewers (and this is still true to some degree), but today it is the genre, story, and marketing that seem to really drive ticket sales. Thus, small films like this that star emerging talents who are already big stars due to their work in huge franchises, like Watson, give an indication if star power really does play as big a role as it once did.

Editor’s Thoughts: The Bling Ring is the last film Harris Savides shot before his untimely death last October. He worked with Coppola previously on Somewhere. He was one of the true talents in indie cinema and will be very much missed. Watson has done a very good job in picking projects since finishing Harry Potter. The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a wonderful teen drama (and it is too bad that not more people saw it in theatres), and her upcoming projects all sound good, including This Is the End and a supporting role in Darren Aronofsky’s Noah (which will be one of the big films of 2014). Nicki in The Bling Ring is a character unlike any she has played before, so it will be interesting to see if she can transform herself to fit the character. If the film is a critical success with Watson showing performance range, it will set her up to be among Hollywood’s most sought-after young actresses (even more so than she already is). And, Coppola has collaborated very well with young actresses in the past: Kirsten Dunst, Scarlett Johannson, and Elle Fanning.

Trailer (if available): Here

Title: Can a Song Save Your Life?

Release: Summer or Fall

Genre: Dramedy, Music

Plot: A music business executive who is fed up and disheartened with the business, finds new life after forming a bond with a young struggling singer-songwriter new to Manhattan.

Director: John Carney

Main Cast: Keira Knightley, Mark Ruffalo, Hailee Steinfeld, and Catherine Keener

Why It’s Anticipated: While Once was little seen during its theatrical run, it has gained a bigger following on DVD since. It is maybe the best musical of the last decade and a beautiful love story. Therefore, its director John Carney doing another music-centric drama should make a lot of Once’s fans very excited. However, this time Carney is working with bigger name actors like Mark Ruffalo and Keira Knightley who star, as well as executive producer Judd Apatow (who seems like an odd collaborator at first, but his work does feature well-done characters and heart much like Carney’s own). This film will being Carney’s genius to a much larger audience (I just hope he can capture the same magic as Once).

Editor’s Thoughts: In addition to the strong group of actors starring in the film, it also features Adam Levine (of Maroon 5), CeeLo Green, and Yasiin Bey (formally known as Mos Def) as well, all of which bring great musical talent to the film (and Bey is a good actor too). I am also quite looking forward to seeing Hailee Steinfeld’s performance. She was brilliant in The Coen Brothers’ True Grit, but I have not seen her in anything since. 2013 will likely be a huge breakthrough year for her, as she also stars in Romeo and Juliet, Three Days to Kill, and Ender’s Game (which, while not making my most anticipated list, is on many people’s 2013 lists).

Trailer (if available): Here

Title: Her

Release: Summer or Fall

Genre: Comedy

Plot: Theodore is a lonely writer who develops a strange relationship with a newly-purchased operating system that is designed to fulfill his every need.

Director: Spike Jonze

Main Cast: Olivia Wilde, Amy Adams, Rooney Mara, Joaquin Phoenix, and Samantha Morton

Why It’s Anticipated: Spike Jonze is a wonderfully imaginative and unique directing talent. And, he is working with a fabulous group of actors. Her (which is the working title and could be changed) sounds like another weird concept, much like Jonze’s brilliant collaborations with Charlie Kaufman: Being John Malkovich and Adaptation., though Jonze wrote this film (as he did his last film Where the Wild Things Are) and is not working with Kaufman.

Editor’s Thoughts: I am most interested in seeing Jonze’s work with Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, and Rooney Mara as he seems to bring out amazing performances from his actors, like: Nicholas Cage and Chris Cooper in Adaptation. while John Malkovich is hysterical in Being John Malkovich and John Cusack gives maybe the best performance of his career in the film. Additionally, I am excited to see the collaboration between cinematographer Hoyte Van Hoytema (one of the best working right now, having shot The Fighter, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, and Let the Right One In) and Jonze.

Trailer (if available): Here

Title: Inside Llewyn Davis

Release: Fall

Genre: Drama, Music

Plot: Llewyn Davis is a folk singer-songwriter trying to make it in the 1960s’ New York Greenwich Village scene.

Director: Ethan and Joel Coen

Main Cast: Carey Mulligan, Justin Timberlake, Garrett Hedlund, John Goodman, and Oscar Isaac

Why It’s Anticipated: Every new Coen Brothers film is a big deal for cinema fans, as they are among America’s great auteurs. Plus, they have been on a streak of great films since No Country for Old Men. The cast featuring Justin Timberlake, Garrett Hedlund (who was the best part of Country Strong), and newcomer (and likely future star) Oscar Isaac also seem to be a great fit for the music scenes – and the last time the Coens did a music centric film we were treated to O Brother, Where Art Thou?

Editor’s Thoughts: I am interested to see how the collaboration between French cinematographer Bruno Delbonnel and the Coen Brothers works out. They have worked with Roger Deakins on eleven of their last twelve films since Barton Fink (Emmanuel Lubezki shot Burn After Reading for them). Delbonnel is one of the finest D.P.s working right now (and one of my favorite). He is known for his stylized color palettes and well-defined grain structure of his film stock. Often, he saturates his primary colors with desaturated muted secondary colors. This look is definitely apparent in the trailer, giving the film sort of a somber feel. The film should play as a love letter to the folk music scene of 1960s Greenwich Village (which birthed Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, and Mimi and Richard Farina – plus, this is loosely based off Dave Van Ronk’s memoir The Mayor of MacDougal Street). I just wonder how much Delbonnel’s distinctive visual style will affect the Coens’ own style.

Trailer (if available): Here

Title: Mood Indigo

Release: Fall

Genre: Romance, Fantasy

Plot: Colin meets Chloe; they fall in love and get married. But, on their honeymoon Chloe falls ill with an unusual illness caused by a flower growing in her lungs.

Director: Michel Gondry

Main Cast: Audrey Tautou, Romain Duris, Omar Sy, and Gad Elmaleh

Why It’s Anticipated: Michel Gondry is one of the most inventive visual directors working in cinema right now. Films like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and The Science of Sleep exhibit a unique, children’s fantasy quality to them, but still have strong narratives and wonderfully full characters. Mood Indigo very much looks like The Science of Sleep, stylistically (which is great).

Editor’s Thoughts: As a fan of Gondry’s work, I am looking forward to this, as he has a very distinctive feel and look to his work (usually – though his Hollywood film The Green Hornet was visually fairly generic). However, I may be even more enthusiastic for this film’s cast (or at least their coupling with Gondry). Romain Duris, Audrey Tautou, Gad Elmaleh (who is hilarious in Priceless and The Valet, and has a funny cameo in Midnight in Paris), and Omar Sy are among France’s great talents. Plus, Duris and Tautou have great chemistry from their work with Cedric Klapisch (and his trilogy beginning with L’Auberge Espagnole). All four actors feel like perfect choices to work with Gondry (I cannot wait to see this).

Trailer (if available): Here