MovieChat Forums > Begin Again (2014) Discussion > I didn't see this movie and probably nev...

I didn't see this movie and probably never will, but...

posted 8 years ago by freemanpatrick7
5 replies | jump to latest

If I did if would only be to see Keira Knightley. After reading what Carney said about her I'm sure I'll never bother. Not that I believe that she was the problem.
But to throw her under the bus like that was unprofessional to say the least. Let's face it, he didn't cast her for her musical ability, he cast for for her name recognition. Because no one would have seen it without at least some recognizable name. So, in that sense, he used her. Then, to blame her for his negative experience was in poor taste.

I just saw Sing Street last night and it was decent. I liked it. But I'm sure that Carney will never have to worry about making "a film with supermodels again."

Sonny: Is there a country you'd like to go to?
Sal: Wyoming.

[–] catbookss 8 years ago

I saw it, and it wasn't because of Keira Knightley's name recognition. I'd heard her name, but that's it. I freely admit, though, I'm in the minority in this and many other respects.

I watched it because the premise sounded intriguing, and it more than met my expectations; it's one of few films that have stuck with me. Apparently I'm not alone because for a small film that's 3+ years old, this board gets a surprising number of posts.

I don't know who Carney is, or that he threw Knightley under the bus, or for what reason, or that he had any negative experience (whomever he may be).

All I can say is that this is an excellent film: the acting, the writing, and the feeling you're left with in your mouth at the end.

[–] bsharporflat-50959 8 years ago

I just saw Sing Street last night and it was decent. I liked it. But I'm sure that Carney will never have to worry about making "a film with supermodels again."

I saw Sing Street recently also. I found the ending to be a lot more touching than this one. But the movie itself, especially the depiction of rising musical talent, was a LOT more realistic in this movie than Sing Street.

It was painfully obvious those kids weren't really doing the singing and playing in Sing Street. I waited for the credits in Begin Again to be sure Keira Knightley was the voice we heard and it was. Obviously the other voice was Adam Levine and he was in fine form.

I think "Carney" (John?) was the director of this movie? I don't know what bad things he had to say about Keira. But she got credit for the singing at least.

Edit: Just checked the John Carney People interview. He did slam Keira for her entourage and the paparazzi crowd and also her musical abilities. Perhaps she had help singing?

That's his opinion but here is what I disagree with him saying:

"Keira's thing is to hide who you are and I don't think you can be an actor and do that," he explained, later adding that, "I like to work with curious, proper film actors as opposed to movie stars. I don't want to rubbish Keira, but you know it's hard being a film actor and it requires a certain level of honesty and self-analysis that I don't think she's ready for yet and I certainly don’t think she was ready for on that film."

I don't see how Carney could miss this, being the director of the film, but Gretta's character was SUPPOSED to be like that. She was socially awkward. She did not feel like a performer. She wasn't comfortable sharing her inner-most self with the public. That was established in the very first scene. And it was the basis for the ending where she got disgusted with Dave (Adam Levine) for pandering to the crowd of adoring female fans. I don't know about off-screen but onscreen, she acted like anything but a "supermodel".

As far as I'm concerned Knightley did a good job playing the role she was supposed to play.

[–] billqs 8 years ago

As far as I'm concerned Knightley did a good job playing the role she was supposed to play.

My wife and I both thought Keira Knightley was wonderful in this film. John Carney is a wonderful filmmaker, too. I don't know what went down behind the scenes, but it is important that he later publicly apologized to her and said she was not difficult to work with (which is her rep from other films... she's got a rep for being easy to work with and not being a diva.)

You know, just once I'd like to meet an alien menace that wasn't immune to bullets!

[–] bsharporflat-50959 8 years ago

My wife and I both thought Keira Knightley was wonderful in this film. John Carney is a wonderful filmmaker, too. I don't know what went down behind the scenes, but it is important that he later publicly apologized to her and said she was not difficult to work with (which is her rep from other films... she's got a rep for being easy to work with and not being a diva.)

Thanks billqs. I appreciate knowing that.

You know, just once I'd like to meet an alien menace that wasn't immune to bullets!

How about War Of The Worlds. They weren't immune to viruses and bacteria.

[–] huwdj 8 years ago

I remember the comments - and the way he tried to roll the back - but I didn't realise this was that film. Having just watched it and really enjoyed it I think he was lucky to have her. I was going to look up any other credits for the writer but I'm not sure I'll bother now.