Review of Hearts Beat Loud (2018) by Douglas C — 05 Jul 2018

Writer-director Brett Haley combines sweet, coming of age drama with perceptive humor in the exploration of what it means to stay true to your artistic craft no matter the struggles presented before you.

In truly genuine fashion, he conveys these themes through the lens of a match made in heaven casting choice between Parks and Recreation's Nick Offerman and future DC Cinematic Universe pick for Iris West Kiersey Clemons.

What's most endearing and surprising about this film is that the music that the fictional father-daughter duo produce is actually good and well composed with Clemons utilizing her vocal training to often times stirring effect.

Offerman, having proven himself equally adept at comedy and sure-footed drama, co-anchors the film marvelously and showcases a range of chops that he has rarely tapped into before now. Some may accuse this story as being too hipster-centric in that its setting takes place in the now very gentrified Red Hook section of Brooklyn.

Other than that, it is most sincere when it channels the interpersonal relationship between the starring duo. Clemons transmits very well her ideological difference in choosing her path. Does she go off to college to become a wealthy doctor or take what is commonly referred to as a "gap year" to explore her musicality and to help her father stay afloat after the death of her equally musical mother? Haley never once pulls his punches and doesn't attempt to have any direct answers.

This is just a lovely mounted film from beginning to end and the kind of feel good cinematic offering the world could desperately use more of.