Irish writer-director John Carney made a splash with his 2006 musical romance Once, about a man and a woman who meet, write songs together, and leave over the course of a week, which has been turned into a very successful Broadway show. He has a definite ear and love for singer-songwriters trying to make it because his new film Begin Again tackles that subject again, but in a completely different way. Keira Knightley plays a guitar-slinger who happens to meet a down-on-his-luck record exec, played by Mark Ruffalo, while performing at a bar one evening. Adam Levine also stars as Knightley’s former boyfriend and songwriting partner, a very successful musician who had a dalliance, shall we say.

The cast has nothing but good things to say about director Carney, as you can see in this exclusive clip below. Co-star Adam Levine compares him to one of New York’s greatest filmmakers, and says he possesses the same skill that made him fall in love with his fiance. Ringing endorsement indeed.

Begin Again, available today on Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital Download, also stars Hailee Steinfeld, James Corden, CeeLo Green, and Catherine Keener.

Image: The Weinstein Company