Hearts Beat Loud

It’s a moment that people often hate but are forced to face. Change. Whether that is in life, study or work, most individuals are conditioned to cringe away from events that might alter the smooth course of life. However in Brett Haley’s 2018 musical drama, Hearts Beat Loud, the director tackles this issue head-on, delving into the emotional and mental impact of human metamorphosis.

Frank Fisher (Nick Offerman) is going through a tough time, his vinyl business is failing, and his mother’s ailing health means that she will soon need full-time care. On top of all these issues, the single father is coming to terms with the fact that his daughter, Sam (Kiersey Clemons), will be moving away after summer to attend medical school. One night, Sam, who is secretly unsure about leaving her life behind, writes a song titled “Hearts Beat Loud”, detailing her inner turmoil and heartbreak. The song is an overall success, causing the musically inclined duo to begin a band, much to the delight of Frank and chagrin of Sam.  

This film actually rose well beyond my expectations for such a simplistic story about family and life. It’s still unexpectedly corny but the writing does attempt to give viewers a poignant peek into the vivacity of a single father struggling to accept the uncontrollable. I especially love the dynamic between the two protagonists with Offerman shining in this titular role. With mother-and-child relationships being a common trope in many family-centred films, it was enlightening to see a twist with the father and daughter bond as the main pivot instead.

There are some small aspects that I deemed a tad frustrating, such as Sam being the more adult figure out of the two, and Frank inappropriately placing burdens on her shoulder due to his lack of care. I know it’s supposed to be funny, and if you look at it through a comedic lens it’s really not something that I would put an emphasis on. In all honesty it’s probably just a touch of lazy writing, but it’s not enough to negate the film’s positive aspects.

The pinnacle of this movie, underlying tone and message to audience members is this: when one door closes another opens. After the discovering Sam’s musical talents, Frank hovers around the potential for his daughter to stay with him, instead of going to college. The entirety of the plot is centred on the topic of goodbye, finalising in the song “Everything Must Go” as both father and daughter reach catharsis.

Ultimately, this film rose beyond the norm. Bringing together different elements of family, comedy and music all together in a harmonious chorus. The final songs act as a magnet, bringing all the characters out into the limelight and throwing away the rose-coloured glasses. The soundtrack itself is actually pretty decent, and something I found myself playing on Spotify afterwards, which is a rare occurrence.

Don’t let the fact that it’s a musical deter you from watching this film. The writing is good and the casting is strong. It’s rare to see directors rely on more than just music and dance to portray it’s message, and even rarer for it to tell such a conscientious tale.

Hearts Beat Loud is a tender film about moving forward and has won my approval with its overall cinematic experience.

Hearts Beat Loud 
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