Review: Endearing slice of life that’s perfectly in tune
A MODEST, yet exquisitely realised story is beautifully told by Hearts Beat Loud, via a casually authentic script, two faultless lead performances and lots of quality music.
Leigh Paatsch
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A MODEST, yet exquisitely realised story is beautifully told by Hearts Beat Loud, via
a casually authentic script, two faultless lead performances and lots of quality music.
This is the tale of a single father and his teenage daughter navigating a number of crossroads in their respective lives across a single summer.
One has a big decision to make. The other has some growing up to do.
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Together, they must also work out what to do with a killer song they recorded during a jam session at home, which is becoming a major hit on Spotify.
Fifty years old and with the ownership of a dud vinyl record store emptying his pockets, Frank (Nick Offerman, aka Ron Swanson from TV’s Parks and Recreation) is the one who needs to start acting his age.
He did actually have a career going as a working musician once upon a time, and has not quite let go of the dream he may take to the stage to get his rightful round of applause.
Eighteen years old and about to start medical school, Sam (Kiersey Clemons) may also have to face letting go of something: her own promising (and superior to her father’s) musical talent if she is to become a doctor.
The two factors that lift Hearts Beat Loud out of the pack of also-rans are the easygoing way in which Offerman and Clemons portray their characters, and the unfailingly credible way they put them to work in the film’s wonderful live performance scenes.
All in all, a diverting, endearing and unpretentious slice of life, carved out with real feeling and shrewd good taste.
HEARTS BEAT LOUD (PG)
Rating: Three and a half stars (3.5 out of 5)
Director: Brett Haley (I’ll See You in My Dreams)
Starring: Nick Offerman, Kiersey Clemons, Toni Collette, Ted Danson.
When the right notes are hit at the wrong time
Hearts Beat Loud now showing:
Melbourne: The Sun Yarraville, Lido Hawthorn and the Classic Elsternwick
Brisbane: The New Farm Cinemas, Elizabeth Theatre and the Dendy Coorparoo
Adelaide: The Wallis Mitcham and Wallis Mt. Barker Cinemas
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