John Carney's follow-up to Once is basically a reworking of the latter with a bigger budget and bigger stars. It is saved from total mediocrity by Mark Ruffalo's high powered, high energy performance as the down-on-his-luck music producer/promoter. Although Keira Knighty's singing is a bit reedy thin, she's as charming as usual. There are some cliches. Mark Ruffalo's character is, of course, alcoholic, separated from his wife and his teen daughter hates him. But, the film wends its way to a conclusion that is not predictable. So we have a bit of a sophomore slump here, but this will do for now until the next, more imaginative Carney film comes down the pike.
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