In the movie, Begin Again, the soundtrack plays a significant role in telling the story and reuniting the characters with their loved ones. With minimal prominence, the director uses the soundtrack to add elements found in musicals due to the fact that the songs play along with the theme as the characters develop. Greta and Dan are both similar when it comes to loneliness, rejection, and the question of where the loyalties of their loved ones lie. Both characters display mistrust, distance, and are ominous until they meet and collaborate with one another. The music they create transforms from self-expression to optimism because they strive to achieve a common goal, which is to get their album produced in their own style and on their own terms.
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For example, the song at the beginning that plays while Dan goes through his morning routine is more out of place compared to the delicate song that Greta sings at the bar. The differences between the tracks give us insight on the character’s lifestyle, and the genres contribute to the affect. The song that plays for Dan is similar to songs under the alternative or rock ‘n roll genre. This reflects Dan’s character because the viewers can see that he doesn’t live an ideal life. He doesn’t spend time with his family, his car and apartment is a mess, and it’s clear that he’s an alcoholic. As for Greta, the song she sings is quiet and emotional using merely her guitar. The lyrics of her song, “A Step You Can’t Take Back,” portray Greta’s emotions and they convey her loneliness in the city after leaving her boyfriend, Dave. The song also shows that she’s more withdrawn and less confident when she sings in front of the audience in the bar. This song is significant not only to Greta, but also Dan when he finds her singing it at the bar because he can relate to it as well. The music captures these emotions, but later turns it into optimism as the relationship between the characters develop, and their music becomes stronger. As for Dave, at first his songs are more natural and less altered by technology, but as he becomes more famous, his songs become more fake. This signifies his transformation from a geek to a celebrity, making him care less about his relationship with
For example, the song at the beginning that plays while Dan goes through his morning routine is more out of place compared to the delicate song that Greta sings at the bar. The differences between the tracks give us insight on the character’s lifestyle, and the genres contribute to the affect. The song that plays for Dan is similar to songs under the alternative or rock ‘n roll genre. This reflects Dan’s character because the viewers can see that he doesn’t live an ideal life. He doesn’t spend time with his family, his car and apartment is a mess, and it’s clear that he’s an alcoholic. As for Greta, the song she sings is quiet and emotional using merely her guitar. The lyrics of her song, “A Step You Can’t Take Back,” portray Greta’s emotions and they convey her loneliness in the city after leaving her boyfriend, Dave. The song also shows that she’s more withdrawn and less confident when she sings in front of the audience in the bar. This song is significant not only to Greta, but also Dan when he finds her singing it at the bar because he can relate to it as well. The music captures these emotions, but later turns it into optimism as the relationship between the characters develop, and their music becomes stronger. As for Dave, at first his songs are more natural and less altered by technology, but as he becomes more famous, his songs become more fake. This signifies his transformation from a geek to a celebrity, making him care less about his relationship with