Love Spreads

By: MJ Asuncion

The music industry is a tough business, so if a band is able to have success with a debut first album it can be considered that they’ve made it. Though many artists know, the first album introduces you, declaring “This is who we are,” but the second album shows everyone that you didn’t just happen by chance. The follow-up album can really make or break you as an artist. Therefore, the pressure is substantially higher.

The members of the all-female rock band Glass Heart have just finished their first tour, coming off a massively successful first album and are now ready to work on their next. The band, along with their manager Mark (Nick Helm), have decided to stay in seclusion at the famous Rockfield Studios in Wales where bands like Queen and Oasis have both recorded. The location is peaceful and filled with inspiration, a perfect setting for creativity and motivation for the band’s singer-songwriter Kelly (Alia Shawkat). As days turn to weeks, and Kelly not being able to write a single song, restlessness, exhaustion, and frustration start to build. Everyone seems to be on a different tune. With mounting pressure from their label, a seemingly endless creative block from Kelly and increased tension amongst the bandmates, it seems that Glass Heart’s second album could be in danger of the sophomore jinx.

Anchored by two outstanding performances by Alia Shawkat and Eiza González, who portray wildly differing characters, the film is slow to start but really picks up speed when the two meet. The soft spoken and at times egotistic Kelly is ironically the film’s most outspoken character, not only with what she says and how she says it, but also through her indirect actions. Shawkat steals the viewer’s attention with her subtle yet precise performance and well-timed dry humor. Patricia, played by Eiza González, in contrast is a ray of sunshine and positivity, layered with depth and emotion. Her presence is a welcome break from the monotonous routine the band has been enduring for weeks. Pat, as she likes to be called, exudes energy that is contagious and inspiring and maybe just what the band needs. The interactions between Shawkat and González come off natural and fluid and it’s enjoyable to witness their dynamic. It is also worth to mention the notable performance by Helm as the band’s manager, who quietly demonstrates conflict avoidance tactics that always result in awkward but endearing moments.

The film is written and directed by Jamie Adams, an indie filmmaker from Porthcawl, Wales. He has a passion for improv-led performances and shooting scenes on his handheld camera, giving his films a homemade quality while still maintaining a cinematic touch. His features include Black Mountain Poets, Balance, Not Symmetry and Wild Honey Pie!, which premiered at SXSW.

Love Spreads isn’t the first film to tackle the difficulties of being an artist or the dynamics between band members and it likely won’t be the last. It is a female driven film that is both comedic and heartfelt, set to a pretty great soundtrack and containing a fun music montage. The film delicately explores the frailty of relationships and groups in the music industry, and what it means to be a creative. Underneath the humor and the music lies serious undertones of the importance of friendships, family, a career and finding balance amongst it all without losing yourself. Therefore, although Love Spreads follows a similar structure as previous music inspired films. It is unique in its storytelling and delivery and appropriately driven by two talented actresses. The film is worth a watch for the music, the humor, the important messages and the exceptional performances.