Last June, “Hearts Beat Loud” released US theaters to glowing reviews and very little box office, which is really a shame. This is one of the few films from the last years which sucks you in within minutes with its pace, great beat and full heart. It’s a star-is-born performance from Kiersey Clemons – and the same can be said about Nick Offerman in his first starring role in a feature film (at least to my knowledge). They’re a wonderful team and supported by charming supporting turns from Ted Danson, Blythe Danner and Toni Collette – who cannot be separated from a karaoke machine, it seems :-) “Hearts Beat Loud” has been released on DVD and Blu-Ray in September. If you’re looking for a wonderful film that warms your heart, this one is for you! Screencaptures from the Blu-Ray have been added to the photo gallery.

Here’s a nice Q&A with Toni as Out Magazine reports on the release of “Hearts Beat Loud” (which I thouht has been released in June?!): Toni Collette has held a firm place in our hearts — and given us karaoke goals — since her debut as gawky ABBA fangirl Muriel in 1994’s Muriel’s Wedding. This summer, The Aussie actress returned to horror (The Sixth Sense, anyone?) with Hereditary and got tuneful again in the queer-themed indie Hearts Beat Loud. Here, Collette dishes on music, her homeland, and Muriel’s lasting appeal.

What are your thoughts on 1994’s Australian film explosion, with Muriel’s Wedding and Priscilla, Queen of the Desert?
Those two films and Strictly Ballroom came flying out of the country in a very short period of time. It was exciting. I think those things are determined by the filmmakers. That’s what creates the wave. I don’t know if it’s happened since.

What do you remember about the reception of Muriel’s Wedding in America, and the splash you made as an actress?
I felt so alive and appreciative. It was such a surprise when people embraced that character. The movie was life-changing — it helped me embark on a career I never could have dreamed of.

Do you think the success of Muriel and Priscilla made it easier for American filmmakers to do more queer-targeted films?
Priscilla certainly did. It was so fun, but not without depth and poignancy. I don’t know if it opened doors for other films, but when something like that is available to people, it must.

While all the attention lies on tomorrow’s theatrical release of “Hereditary”, one of Toni’s other films – which will be released on the same day – is quietly flying under the radar. Yesterday, Toni joined co-star Nick Offerman at the New York premiere of “Hearts Beat Loud”. In the hip Brooklyn neighborhood of Red Hook, single dad and record store owner Frank (Offerman) is preparing to send his hard-working daughter Sam (Kiersey Clemons) off to college, while being forced to close his vintage shop. Hoping to stay connected through their shared musical passions, Frank urges Sam to turn their weekly “jam sesh” into a father-daughter live act. After their first song becomes an Internet breakout, the two embark on a journey of love, growing up and musical discovery. Toni plays a supporting role as the landlord / love interest to Offerman’s character. Make sure to watch it if “Hereditary” will scare you too much – or watch it right afterwards :-) Pictures from the premiere have been added to the photo gallery.

The theatrical trailer for “Hearts Beat Loud” has been released today and it looks charming. The Brett Haley directed dramedy tells the story of how a father (Nick Offerman) and his daughter (Kiersey Clemons) form an unlikely songwriting duo in the summer before she leaves for college. They are supported by a fantastic supporting cast of Ted Danson, Blythe Danner, Sasha Lane and Toni Collette as Offerman’s landlord (and – as the trailer suggests – love interest). Upon its world-premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, “Hearts Beat Loud” was met with positive reviews and currently holds a 100% score at Rotten Tomatoes. Let’s have our fingers crossed it finds its audience when it releases on June 8 – the same day as “Hereditary”! Screencaptures have been added to the photo gallery and the trailer has been archived in the video archive.

Toni’s second film, “Hearts Beat Loud” has premiered at Sundance, and while it’s a bummer that Toni wasn’t there to promote two films at once, it’s promising to see such positive reviews for both. Here’s a collection of reviews:

The Hollywood Reporter, John DeFore (January 24, 2018)
For some, the four songs Frank and Sam concoct together (written by film composer Keegan Dewitt) will be a highlight. They’re sprinkled throughout, then showcased in a final concert that feels too Hollywood for its underdog setting. When all’s said and done, father and daughter make peace with their respective places in the world, setting their sights on more realistic goals.

Variety, Amy Nicholson (January 24, 2018)
“We’re not a band,” groans freshman medical student Sam (Kiersey Clemons) to her dad Frank (Nick Offerman) in Brett Haley’s “Hearts Beat Loud,” a friendly musical about an aging Red Hook hipster who needs to let go of his daughter, and his dreams of pop stardom. But Frank’s not giving up either one, at least not until Sam leaves Brooklyn for California at the summer’s end, though the flinty widower is considering abandoning everything else: the record store he’s owned for 17 years, his shoplifting mother (Blythe Danner) who must be put in a home, and the dignity that’s kept him from asking his landlady Leslie (Toni Collette) out on a date. Haley (“The Hero,” “I’ll See You in My Dreams”), and co-writer Marc Basch’s good-hearted goodbye to late-’90s alterna-culture is as pleasant and fleeting as sorbet on a hot day — or the feeling of being young and cool, a loss Frank mourns with every strum.

Slash Film, Ethan Anderton (January 25, 2018)
This movie is what one might consider a Sundance cliche, but it’s executed so earnestly and lovingly thanks to the performances and musical stylings of Nick Offerman and Kiersey Clemons. Not only does Offerman rock on the guitar, but Clemons has some beautiful pipes that I’d like to see her stretch even more in a musical. The duo brings the original songs written by Keegan DeWitt to life effortlessly, and you’ll be nodding your head, tapping your foot and smiling ear-to-ear as the duo rocks all throughout the film. Adding to the delight of this movie are Toni Collette as Frank’s landlord and possible love interest, and Ted Danson as Dave, Frank’s bar-owning, weed-smoking, laid back best friend.

Cultured Vultured, Danielle Solzman (January 24, 2018)
Hearts Beat Loud is not an outright musical in the sense that it’s another La La Land but it’s a music-driven film with original music written by Keegan Dewitt. Dewitt’s contribution may only be four songs, including a rocking title song and a love ballad, but the music is what drives the film. It wouldn’t work without a star-making performance from Clemons. It’s music that one will want to listen to on repeat and never get tired of it.

Film School Rejects, Neil Miller (January 25, 2018)
Hearts Beat Loud is full of what its title promises: heart. In that heart, there’s a song. And in that song is a forthright story about love, parenthood, and dealing with change. The film also gets plenty of full-hearted joy from its supporting cast — the likes of Ted Danson, Blythe Danner, and Toni Collette — all of whom are great. But in the end, it’s the Nick Offerman and Kiersey Clemons show. And they’re both wonderful.

In one of the first deals of the Sundance Film Festival, Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions has acquired international rights to Brett Haley’s Hearts Beat Loud after a packed sneak peek screening last night in Park City, according to Deadline. The film starring Nick Offerman and Kiersey Clemons has its world premiere next Friday at the Eccles in the fest’s Premieres section. The deal does not includes North American rights. Endeavor Content repped the filmmakers in the deal and SPWA’s Michael Helfand, Joe Matukewicz and Jon Freedberg negotiated for Sony. The pic centers on a one-time musician (Offerman) who owns a struggling record store in Red Hook, Brooklyn, and forms an unlikely band with his daughter (Clemons) the summer before she is set to leave for college. Ted Danson, Sasha Lane, Blythe Danner and Toni Collette co-star. Houston King, Sam Bisbee and Sam Slater produced. Franklin Carson, Paul Bernon, David Bernon, Theodora Dunlap, Jackie Kelman Bisbee, Lance Acord, Danny Rifkin and Frank Brenner, and Offerman are executive producers.