Hearts Beat Loud 2018 Movie Sam & Rose Couple Review

🎶 The end of summer — where music and love intertwine: the warm connection between Sam and Rose

🎥 Film Overview

🎬 Title: Hearts Beat Loud (2018)
🌍 Country: 🇺🇸 USA
🎞️ Genre: Music / Drama / Coming-of-Age / Queer
🗓️ Production & Release: Gunpowder & Sky, 2018, Feature Film
📺 Platform: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, etc.

👩‍💼 Cast: Kiersey Clemons – Sam
Sasha Lane – Rose

🧩 Deep Dive into the Story (Spoilers)

🩵 A “Temporary Love” in the Summer Sun

Sam and Rose’s relationship begins during the summer, right before Sam is set to leave for medical school in New York. From the start, their romance carries the nature of a “limited-time” relationship.

• First Serious Romance: For Sam, Rose is her first serious partner before heading to college. Through Rose, Sam unlocks her repressed emotions and musical creativity, moving away from her role as a “responsible adult” defined by her father’s expectations, and discovering herself as a young woman in love.

• A Catalyst for Growth and Liberation: Rose represents artistic freedom — a free spirit who helps Sam realize that what she wants to escape isn’t New York itself, but her own internal constraints. Rose teaches Sam how to ride a bicycle, an act symbolic of emotional liberation after her mother’s death. Rose thus becomes a catalyst for healing and freedom.

• Embracing an Inevitable Goodbye: Sam understands with maturity that their love may not survive the physical distance between them. In the song she dedicates to Rose, "Blink (One Million Miles)," Sam expresses the bittersweet truth of their connection — “We were right at the wrong time.” Their love holds both melancholy and sweetness, perfectly encapsulating the fleeting beauty of young romance.

🏳️‍🌈 The Importance of “Normalization” in Queer Representation

The most acclaimed aspect of Sam and Rose’s relationship is how it approaches queer romance through the lens of normalization rather than conflict or tragedy.

• Absence of Identity Conflict: The film depicts Sam and Rose — a Black queer couple — without framing their identities as sources of conflict or suffering. Sam’s sexuality is never treated as a plot device or issue to resolve. Instead, their relationship unfolds as something ordinary, healthy, and genuinely affectionate. This approach brings a refreshing normalcy to queer representation on screen.

• Frank’s Natural Support: The scene in which Sam’s father, Frank, learns about her girlfriend is portrayed with striking warmth and ease. Reading Sam’s lyrics, he gently asks, “Do you have a girlfriend?” When she hesitates, he follows with, “Or a boyfriend?” Sam laughs at the latter and acknowledges Rose, prompting Frank to react with genuine happiness and curiosity. This moment highlights an ideal, supportive father figure who treats queerness not as an issue but simply as part of his daughter’s life. For many queer viewers, this scene resonates deeply as a vision of unconditional parental support.

• Intersection of Race and Sexuality: Both Sam and Rose are Black and queer. The film doesn’t overemphasize either identity but, through their very presence, provides valuable representation for Queer Women of Color. Their inclusion reflects a quiet yet meaningful step toward diverse and inclusive storytelling.

🪶 Critical Perspective: A “Less Developed Subplot”

Some critics argue that Sam and Rose’s relationship remains confined to a secondary subplot and isn’t fully developed throughout the film.

• Lack of Conflict and Development: Their relationship involves minimal dramatic tension and lacks detailed exploration of how their bond evolves. Some viewers felt that their romance seemed underwritten — included more for diversity’s sake than as an integral narrative thread.

• A Narrative Device: Sam and Rose’s romance functions primarily as a catalyst for Sam’s personal growth and musical inspiration. Writing a love song for Rose becomes a pivotal moment that deepens her creative partnership with her father, rather than focusing on the romantic relationship itself.

The relationship between Sam and Rose beautifully portrays the essence of a brief yet tender first love, contributing significantly to Sam’s emotional and artistic awakening. While it meaningfully normalizes queer identity in a positive light, some critics note that it lacks the narrative depth and complexity given to the father-daughter storyline.

🎯 Personal Rating

💕 Love Scene Intensity: ♥
⭐ Rating: ★★☆