Begin Again (2014) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Dan recognized Gretta's raw talent immediately and saw potential in her authentic songwriting style. More importantly, he revealed that her song about lost stars actually prevented him from contemplating suicide, giving him a deeply personal connection to her music and a reason to believe in her potential.

Foreshadowing: This moment is foreshadowed earlier when Dan tells his partner Saul that music should be free, showing his genuine passion for authentic artistry over commercial success.

• dan mulligan
• gretta james
• record deal
• music executive
• talent discovery

Gretta initially planned to leave New York after her breakup with Dave, but Dan convinced her to stay one more day to develop her album. That one day turned into a longer collaboration as she became invested in the creative process and the opportunity to record an album that stayed true to her artistic vision.

Foreshadowing: This hesitation reflects Gretta's vulnerability after her breakup, as she's initially reluctant to commit to anything in New York.

• gretta james
• new york
• england
• breakup
• dan mulligan

After seeing Dave accept an award for a heavily commercialized version of her song 'Lost Stars,' Gretta was deeply hurt by his artistic betrayal. She recorded a song expressing her feelings about how he had compromised their shared artistic vision and left it on his voicemail as a way to confront him without facing him directly.

Foreshadowing: Earlier in the film, Gretta explains that Dave always pushed her to make her melodies more mainstream, showing the tension in their creative relationship.

• gretta
• dave kohl
• voicemail
• lost stars
• song
• betrayal

Gretta wanted to share her music directly with listeners without the commercial pressures and artistic compromises that come with major label deals. She believed her songs should be accessible to anyone who wanted to hear them, aligning with Dan's earlier belief that music should be free.

Foreshadowing: This decision reflects Dan's earlier conversation with Saul about how music should be free, showing how Gretta embraced his philosophy.

• gretta album
• independent release
• $1
• record deal
• music industry

Gretta recognized that Dan's vision and guidance were essential to her album's success. She refused to accept a deal that didn't include him, showing loyalty to the person who believed in her talent and helped her achieve her artistic goals.

Foreshadowing: Throughout their collaboration, Dan consistently championed Gretta's work and protected her artistic integrity.

• gretta
• dan
• saul
• record deal
• reinstatement

Dan had been searching for new talent for five years without success since discovering the rapper Troublegum. His radical idea that music should be free clashed with the label's commercial priorities, and his prolonged dry spell made him expendable when the company needed to cut costs.

Foreshadowing: This is set up early when Dan admits to Saul that he hasn't found anyone worth signing in years.

• dan mulligan
• fired
• record label
• saul
• troublegum

Gretta recognized Violet's musical talent and encouraged her to pursue guitar, giving her the confidence that her own father Dan had failed to provide due to his own struggles. This mentorship created a genuine connection between them, and Gretta's belief in Violet helped repair the father-daughter relationship indirectly.

Foreshadowing: This connection is hinted at when Dan tries and fails to connect with Violet over drinks earlier in the film.

• violet
• gretta
• guitar
• daughter
• mentorship
• confidence

Watching Dave perform from the audience, Gretta realized he had completely abandoned the original meaning of her song for a flashy, commercial performance. Seeing how far he had strayed from their shared artistic vision convinced her to finally move on from their relationship entirely.

Foreshadowing: This moment connects to the earlier voicemail where Gretta expressed her feelings about his commercialization of her song.

• gretta
• dave
• concert
• lost stars
• artistic integrity
• closure

Dan revealed that during a dark period in his life, hearing Gretta perform her song about hope and lost stars gave him a reason to keep living. Her raw, emotional talent reminded him why he originally fell in love with music and convinced him that authentic artistry still existed.

Foreshadowing: This revelation comes after Dan has been fired, hit rock bottom, and is wandering through the city drinking.

• dan
• suicide
• gretta song
• depression
• music
• hope

Saul was skeptical because the album was recorded live in public venues without studio production, but when he actually heard the finished product, he recognized its unique quality and commercial potential. The raw, authentic sound contrasted positively with overproduced mainstream music.

Foreshadowing: This is set up when Dan proposes the unconventional recording method as a bold alternative to traditional studio sessions.

• saul
• album
• live recording
• impressed
• deal

By releasing the album independently for just $1 online, Gretta made it accessible to a wide audience. The low price point and word-of-mouth about its quality led to 10,000 sales on the first day, demonstrating that there was demand for authentic music outside traditional industry channels.

Foreshadowing: This success validates Dan's belief that music could succeed based on its merit rather than commercial packaging.

• album sales
• success
• independent
• 10000 copies
• online release

Dan had been estranged from his wife and disconnected from his daughter Violet due to his professional failures and personal struggles. Through his work with Gretta, Dan rediscovered his passion and purpose, which helped him become the hopeful, engaged person his family needed him to be.

Foreshadowing: This reconciliation is set up when Dan tries to connect with Violet early in the film but fails due to his emotional unavailability.

• dan
• miriam
• reconciliation
• family
• wife
• daughter