★★★★

Change is an inevitable part of life. We might despise it when it first comes around, or we might even desire it, but it is something that we must come to accept. Hearts Beat Loud is about that kind of change you can't avoid, no matter how hard you may try. This warm-hearted tale about a father-daughter relationship is sure to make your insides feel fuzzy and is filled with themes of love and self-discovery, a stellar cast, and most of all, fantastic music - the track that the film borrows its title from will be stuck in your head for days to come. 

Set in Brooklyn, the film follows a single dad named Frank (Nick Offerman) preparing himself as his daughter, Sam (Kiersey Clemons), gets ready to head off to college across the country. He is also readying to close his vinyl record shop, sales not soaring the way they once did. In an attempt to bond with his daughter before she leaves, he lays down an original track with her using lyrics she wrote. Impressed with the final product, Frank uploads the song to Spotify without Sam's knowledge - setting them off on a musical journey together. 

Hearts Beat Loud is a feel-good indie gem that's perfect if you need something uplifting or soothing for the soul. In terms of storyline, there is something there for everyone to relate to, whether it be family relationships, first love, moving away from home, or a passion for music - it's all there. It's quite beautiful in its simplicity - it makes its impact by not trying to be anything more than the quaint story it is. 

The cast was quite astounding here, a combination of big stars and well-known indie up-and-comers. Nick Offerman and Kiersey Clemons had great chemistry as a father-daughter duo and were always intriguing to watch together. Also fantastic to watch was Sasha Lane, who played Sam's love interest, an aspiring artist named Rose. Lane and Clemons also had wonderful chemistry and were superb to watch as a couple. Toni Collette was also a significant part of this ensemble, playing Frank's landlady for the shop. The performances alone made the film worth watching. 

Of course, most memorable of all was the music. Music was truly at the heart of this film and played a key role in communicating the story. Filled with plenty of original songs that are nothing short of delightful and a few familiar tunes (Mitski fans are in for a treat), this film makes sure the music takes centre-stage. 

Hearts Beat Loud is a cute comfort-watch, but refrains from ever becoming a full-on cheese-fest. Being almost impossible to dislike, it will slip right into your heart before you even notice it's there.