Hearts Beat Loud

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

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.

Feel good movies are pretty rare these days - you mean it isn't a comic book movie, mainstream comedy, or Oscar contender? This movie is none of those things. It is just a simple story about a dad, a daughter, and a record store. You know the whole plot just by watching the trailer, honestly...but you should watch it anyway. Offerman and Clemons absolutely shine. They manage to make this story feel real without ever becoming cliche. If you are not smiling in the closing scenes, if you are not thinking back to your own farewells, well, something might be wrong with you. It will not give you chills. It is not groundbreaking. It has some plot gaps. But it is a feel good movie. And I felt good.

Frank Fisher runs an honest-to-goodness record store in relatively modern day Brooklyn, and it's about to go under. He's worried, mostly because his daughter Sam is about to go to UCLA for med school, and helping her pay for that is a top priority. He also has a mother with dementia who keeps wandering off and getting arrested. How will all this be resolved?

Well, this movie is really not all that interested in these things. Frank (Nick Offerman) also PLAYS music, and was once in a band with Sam's (Kiersey Clemons) mother. A mother killed a lot of years ago in a cycling accident. Sam also plays some music, and although she's very studious and very into being a doctor, she still indulges her father with occasional "jam sessions." One night, she brings a song she's started writing to one of these sessions. This results in the song "Hearts Beat Loud" to be recorded and Frank uploads it to Spotify, where is makes a modest splash. He's excited about forming a real band with his daughter and seeing what they can make of a musical partnership. She's interested in being a doctor and in spending time with her new girlfriend Rose (Sasha Lane). THIS conflict is the real meat of the story, and even that is truly overcome by the music.

Clemons and Offerman (who knew!) actually perform in this film, and the music they "create" (the songs were written by others) and play together is what makes the movie a charmer. First of all, Offerman is totally convincing as a slightly grump guy who loves music and loves his daughter, and when he gets to combine the two, his sheer delight is transporting. Offerman practically glows, and having enjoyed his flat, grumpy persona for so many years, seeing him expand on that is a joy. This movie is his show, really. Clemons is refreshingly unaffected in her performance, and it's great to see a father/daughter relationship that shows the pair fighting (at times) but not once feeling that the underlying love and commitment is at risk. But while Clemons is quite charming, in my opinion as a middle aged white male, Offerman's performance is the revelation. Others will feel differently...but I think either way would make the film fun. Just watching these two play together and create songs together is really quite lovely. The rest of the "drama" of the film is quite secondary, although the plot points DO need be resolved, and some are resolved more convincingly than others.

The stuff with Offerman's mom (Blythe Danner) really barely registers, except that we see it as yet another pressure on HIM. His relationship with his land lady (Toni Collette, always a welcome presence) waffles between romance and friendship, and will sweet, is not gripping. Offerman does have some nice scenes with his local bartender (Ted Danson...who enlivens almost every effort he's in these days). On the other side, Sam's relationship with Rose isn't terribly gripping either. They are facing the idea that Sam's move to the other coast will doom their relationship, but we have virtually no emotional investment in them as a couple.

SO, in the end, the joys of this movie are simple and light. Watching two charming performers enjoying playing music together and enjoying the TIME spent making music together. It's a delightful and heartening father/daughter relationship. I suppose if there are any revelations beyond "music can be transporting" would be the notion that "fathers and daughters can love each other with ease, despite any dramas that arise." It's nice to see played out and makes the whole film seem cozy. And I really, really enjoyed this lived-in performance from Offerman.

The "plot" and the resolutions of the various conflicts are secondary and never feel terribly important. Some are resolved in a satisfactory way and others are virtually forgotten. It matters because it makes this movie feel somewhat incomplete as a story. But I still recommend going on this journey with these two characters.

The quintessential indie movie for music lovers! This movie doesn't abide by a particular storyline and flows just as seamlessly as good music does. The music essentially acts as an aureole for the movie, silently yet gracefully elevating it. Additionally the music is brought to life by the dulcet voices of the leads.

Nick Offerman once again does an exceptional job as the mellow, supporting dad. The troubles of his character are very well sketched and his stance on issues is easy to understand. Offerman, with his rock-hard face carries each scene with a melody. His daughter, played by Kiersey Clemons gives a hell of a performance as well.

The movie essentially conveys the beauty of music and how influential it can be in our everyday lives. It shows how for some people music is literally the way of life. With its powerful lyrics we see the deep meaning that songs bear. In this motion picture the effect of music manifests itself in the act of strengthening the bond between the father and daughter.

Throughout the movie there is no sense of a bigger picture, or purpose and that is where the beauty lies. It is strikingly similar to real life with a lot of small talk that makes the characters more relatable. This is a very well-constructed movie with wonderful music bound to captivate audiences of all ages. And for those who have never been touched by music get ready for your heart to beat loud to the rhythm of the film