Hearts Beat Louder, written by Brett Haley and Marc Basch, directed by the former - Eight out of 10

Hearts Beat Louder, written by Brett Haley and Marc Basch, directed by the former

Eight out of 10

This film will not be an Academy awards contender.

It is neither in the commercial category, competing with the likes of Crazy Rich Asians, Fast and Furious 11 or the Avengers against Captain America at the box office.

Nevertheless, it is a charming proposition nevertheless, with two heavyweights involved in the production, albeit in supporting roles:

Ted Danson – always a pleasure to watch- as Dave the bar tender and friend of the hero, and Toni Collette aka Leslie, the landlady of the same protagonist.

Nick Offerman is very good in the title role of Frank Fisher, a middle-aged man with refreshing, young attitudes.

In the opening scenes, a client is in his vinyl record shop, while the owner is listening to some music and…smoking.

The visitor complains about the smoking, seeing as this is a closed space and supposedly, it is illegal.

Which it might be, only the hero does not care.

Indeed, when the client returns after doing some complaining outside, perhaps calling some authority, taking some other action, the shop manager and assistant – functions cumulated into one person – has headphones on.

The frustrated, aggravated customer is telling something.

However, Frank shows the headphones, indicating he cannot hear.

It is plain that he does not care either

Alas, his shop is not doing well.

On the contrary, he has to close.

This in spite of the fact that his landlady, the owner of the premises, likes and trusts him.

So much so, that when he informs her that sales are not what they should – surprisingly? Given his attitude – she offers support.

Leslie is willing to become his business partner, has some suggestions about opening up the place more.

The ungrateful – or just too inebriated – hero comes to her house one night, after too many drinks at the Dave bar, and insults the woman and her generous offer.

Meanwhile, there might be some success in another endeavor, involving the daughter of the protagonist, Sam Fisher.

The young woman is a talented singer and she has composed and mixed a tune with her father.

He has uploaded the creation on Spotify – was it? – and the reaction has been instantaneous and encouraging.

As Frank Fisher is waiting to buy some pie and other things in the local shop, he hears the…song!

Which is marvelous, for it means great popularity.

Doesn’t it?

They even get a call from an agent to get on a tour and use a talent that they obviously have.

Sam is not that interested in the project – perhaps she rejects it is the better word – for she sees no future.

The young woman wants to become a doctor, which is a solid, noble career, as opposed to the uncertain prospect of singing for a while and then maybe becoming poor, as her parent now is.

Without spoiler alerts, one could say that the construction of this motion picture allows for various possibilities…

The young woman may pursue a career as a doctor, but she could also engage with music, which may be her calling and in her genes, given the talent her father has and we are told her mother had possessed.