You know how movies just speak to you on a spiritual level? The movies that understands you, your soul, every fiber of your being? Recently that movie has been "Begin Again" (2014) starring Mark Ruffalo and Keira Knightly. And no, this isn't a period drama (thank god), but it’s a coming-of-age contemporary independent movie about two musicians that simply lost their way in life and try to find it again through music. These strangers meet at a bar where Knightly’s character, Gretta, is forced to sing one of her songs in a dark, little open mic night at a bar after she breaks up with her boyfriend, played by Adam Levine of Maroon Five. Drunk Dave (Ruffalo) has just been fired at his producing studio when he sees her performance. And right then he knew that he had to produce Gretta. Somehow they decide to make an album using the good ol’ New York City as their studio. Literally the entire city. They somehow got together an entire band and a portable recording set up and recorded all of Gretta’s songs in places like Central Park, next to the Empire State building, and in alleyways of local neighborhoods. Don’t believe me? Here’s the trailer:

This movie really shapes a new perspective of the music industry today versus making authentic music. How big businesses muddle the truth behind music, the purity of the creating process and discard the genuineness and rawness music has to offer. In today’s (real life) music industry, to be and remain successful requires the similar synthetic music not appealing musicality-wise (in my opinion). The Top 100 Songs on the iTunes list discuss cliche teen love, sex, lust, materialistic love, et cetera has appeared to be a part the mainstream. Also they don’t seem to use actual instruments but a computer program that creates these incessant sounds insinuating sexual activity, making most of them sound the same. These songs don't seem to target making authentically good music but to make profit. And the worse part is that it’s not even the creator’s fault since at times they don't have control over their work. Sometimes selling the music is more important unfortunately.

Taylor Swift was a country singer before she went “pop.” I mean, she was already popular with her country, but she became an ultra-mega superstar with her mainstream music. Ariana Grande has insane vocal talents, but she chooses to release songs of mediocrity that don’t exceed to the talent that she has to maintain a certain “baby doll” image. Selena Gomez follows the musical trends throughout the years, singing more of “pop” songs in one album, or more “EDM” songs in another to follow what the latest genre is.

In the film that’s what is happening. The producers of Dan’s company company jumps to creating this certain marketable image for the music to make profit, chasing trends. But Ruffalo’s character won’t let that happen (which is what caused his termination). With Greta’s music Dan orchestrates music that is just as alive as the city. He takes advantage of the certain background noise pollution the city develops, the echoes and certain environments that will improve the acoustics of the music.

And guys. The music is phenomenal.

I don’t care if you’re all about EDM or Trap music or refuse to listen music with real instruments. If you listen to the album you can tell the music is absolutely touching, true, and genuine to human emotions. The lyrics are meaningful, daring, thought-provoking, and relatable. The film shows that music like this, music that makes you feel on a cathartic level, is a lost gem under a pile of mess (or within the cranks and places of New York City). My favorite songs are “Lost Stars” and “Coming Up Roses.”

This movie is on Netflix, and if you acquire an account, I highly suggest you watch this film, because this will show you the authentic experience of making music on another level. It shows the power of music gathering a bunch of strangers experience life together, growing up, learning to appreciate the little things music and life has to offer, and simultaneously creating something real and ethereal as music in one of the most musically-influential cities in the world.