Hearts Beat Loud

For a movie that has a lot on the platter, "Hearts Beat Loud" traverses what foreshadows to be rough waters with a calm, realistic paddle. It has the squeaky clean, educational discovery flavour of the "ABC Afterschool Specials" of TV past, without veering towards any convenient conclusions. The movie just plays out, which as it turns out, is part of its refreshing charm.

"Hearts" works best when focusing on the father-daughter dynamic which is the film's core, keying on Nick Offerman's perfectly understated role facing a personal crossroads struggle. Inserting veteran, recognizable faces Ted Danson and Blythe Danner proves distracting, as is the stilted Jeff Tweedy (Wilco) cameo. Confusing decisions for a film that aches to be small. Smartly, these are but brief interruptions and melt quickly into the background. This is a father film. Period.

As Frank, the judgemental owner of a struggling vinyl record shop, and a single parent to an itchy yet whip ass smart teen, Offerman brings a calm yet burning restraint when faced with major life decisions. His usual poker face satire stance from a wonderful comedic career, being replaced with a surprisingly dramatic nuanced one.

The movie lingers a tad too long on some pieces (warning: there is plenty of music, plus plenty of nerdy music references), and leaves much unresolved, but that just might be the point of delivering this sweet slice of casual life. Hearts actually beat soft.

• hipCRANK

This has 'nice movie' written all over it. And there's nothing wrong with that if that's what you're looking for.

Initially put this on as background noise, but it wasn't too long before I was paying attention and then 100% invested in its story.

Nick Offerman is a far cry from his Park & Rec. days and all the better for it. And Ted Danson's little role didn't hurt either.

The music, although very good, wasn't my bag. And Kiersey Clemons playing a late teen just didn't appeal to me.

This is one of those little indie gems that just sneaks up on you and smacks you right in between the eyes. You must do yourself a favour and check it out. Kiersey Clemons is a Star. And Nick Offerman is just... real, for lack of a better word.

What a beautiful movie! I watch a million movies, rarely get moved by one. Tonight I was moved. I take notice when that happens, and run right out here to IMDB.COM and write a review.

I think anybody and everybody can take away something from this movie. I'm an older musician, so especially loved the "band" theme of this movie - but please don't be scared away by thinking this is some kind of musician-only flick. It's not. It's much more. It's about tolerance, love, caring - being a friend - a father, a daughter, a friend - and everything in between.

I highly recommend this movie. What a GEM!

When you watch a movie and it is just calm and beautiful with good acting and a simple storyline it is the best medicine.No massive plot or clever dialogue just a nice human story