Nick Offerman plays a widowed father named Frank who was former musician who now owns a vinyl-only record store in Red Hook, Brooklyn. Frank faces several problems. His record store is failing. His mother (Blythe Danner) shows signs of dementia. Frank’s daughter Sam (Kiersey Clemons) is headed for UCLA to become a doctor and Frank doesn’t know where he’s going to find the tuition money. Frank’s bartender friend, Dave (Ted Danson), tries to help him. Leslie (Toni Collette), Frank’s landlady, offers some romantic opportunities. Sasha Lane provides some romantic opportunities for Sam. The gimmick in Hearts Beat Loud is that Frank and Sam write a song and record it in their home studio. Frank uploads the song to Spotify and it becomes a hit. That success gives Frank hope that music might save him from the disasters growing around him. My problems with Hearts Beat Loud center around the music and the plot. The music is bland. The plot is predictable. With a good cast like this, Director Brett Haley should have produced something special. Ted Danson and Toni Collette pretty much just stand around. Marc Basch’s script holds no surprises. GRADE: B-
Saw it this afternoon and was underwhelmed. Been getting great revues but I have to agree with you. The music is very bland. And Toni Colette and Ted Danson give it there all but they don’t have much to do in underwritten roles. C+ for me. Should have seen Sicaro for a second time.
Steve, we have our tickets for ANT-MAN AND THE WASP. I want to see LEAVE NO TRACE but it hasn’t opened here yet.
I agree completely. Just so cookie cutter. It should have gone straight to cable. The reviews were really off. Maybe they were just glad to see a movie without superheroes.
Patti, the weak script sinks this movie. The cast could have done so much more…if they had the chance!
88% approval on Rotten Tomatoes. This proves yet again that a lot of people don’t know what’s good and what isn’t. Somehow, this passed under the radar totally, as I never heard of it before this minute. I’d be inclined to try it (on cable) for a couple of reasons – several actors I like, and “Red Hook, Brooklyn.” Was it really filmed there, I wonder. Every time we go to the Fairway supermarket there, Jackie marvels at how this (ahem) area has become suddenly hip and trendy. It’s largely a dump, and the huge dangerous housing project is a couple of blocks away.
Jeff, the “local” shots look convincing to me so I’m guessing the Real Red Hook is featured in HEARTS BEAT LOUD.