Frank Fisher (Nick Offerman) is a widowed musician who never quite made it, now running a failing record store in Red Hook, New York. With landlady Leslie (Toni Collette) raising the rent it looks like the end of the line for the shop. Daughter Sam (Kiersey Clemons) is just a few weeks away from moving to LA to study medicine, focused on readying herself for the big change in her life.
Frank is something of a manchild, swinging from irritating to loveable as the mood takes him. But he loves Sam, and wants to keep their bond. When he nags her into jamming with him in his studio the result is the eponymous song, featuring Sam's lyrics and her excellent vocals. Unknown to his daughter Frank puts the track up on Spotify and it quickly garners attention. Frank senses a chance to revive his musical ambitions, Sam remains dedicated to her path towards becoming a doctor, although her single mindedness is challenged when she falls in love with Rose (Sasha Lane). Add in Frank's pot smoking bar owning friend Dave (Ted Danson, back at the optics once more) who tries to give his pal advice, and the future becomes even more confused.
To the great credit of director and writer Brett Haley the movie doesn't take the easy options, and, as in real life, the outcomes of the various dilemmas aren't always what you might expect or hope for. What you get is the bond between the father and daughter, and the sense that whatever changes life might throw at you, however difficult the decision, on the other side is another life that's yours to make the best of. The 'feelgood' factor comes from the love, the resilience of human beings, and of seeing a lovely cameo from Blythe Danner as Frank's shoplifting mother. And the music, the creation of music, the joy of playing and listening and feeling the beat.
Often funny, sometimes tender, always true to life, Hearts Beat Loud is a charming, optimistic film with a great soundtrack and strong sense of place. Well worth a watch.
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