Heartbeat Away, A

This study guide to accompany A Heartbeat Away (Gale Edwards, 2011), a feature film by Pictures in Paradise, has been written for secondary students. It provides information and suggestions for learning activities in English, Literature, Music and Media.

A Heartbeat Away is rated PG. Some scenes contain mild coarse language, sexual references and violence. The film has a running time of 91 minutes.

Synopsis

Nineteen-year-old Kevin Flack is an aspiring lead guitarist. His most immediate goal is to get his band out of the Flack family garage and in front of an appreciative audience. Kevin's father doesn't support his dream. Edwin Flack believes that rock music is rubbish. He is disappointed that Kevin has turned down a scholarship at a conservatorium of music to play guitar in the garage with his mates. Kevin's mother, Grace Flack, understands Kevin's rebellion but encourages her son to be less stubborn than his father.

Edwin Flack is not only the town of Montague's electrician, he is also the conductor of the Montague Municipal Marching Band. The band of Montague locals became the laughing stock of the community twenty years ago when they suffered a grand loss to Diamond Vale Marching Band at the Regional Marching Band Championships. But this year, according to Edwin, is their year. They are, after all, playing on home turf.

Mayor Riddick, mayor of Montague, has big plans for the town. Along with property developer Tracey Playfair, Mayor Riddick is going to transform Montague from an obsolete fishing village to a thriving tourist resort. With the Montague Fishing Company scheduled for demolition, the future of the Montague Municipal Band hangs in the balance. Unless they win first prize at the Regional Marching Band Championships, the clubhouse will be replaced by a Big Lobster.

When Edwin is hit by a truck just four weeks before the competition, Kevin takes up the baton and becomes the musical director of the Montague Municipal Marching Band. With the assistance of Mandy, who works in Wellman's Music Store and is the daughter of Mayor Riddick, Kevin decides to give the Montague Municipal Marching Band a rock 'n' roll make over. When Edwin finds out, he is furious. Edwin thinks Kevin is useless. Kevin's band is also uncertain about Kevin's change in musical direction. They have a talent quest to win and they can't rehearse without Kevin.

When the day of the Regional Marching Band Championships finally arrives, Kevin refuses to get on the bus. Kevin has fallen out with the members of his own band, compromised his relationship with Mandy by thinking he could take on her father and win, and failed to convince his father that he is responsible. The band members call his bluff and Kevin is soon back on board. Meanwhile, Edwin has discharged himself from hospital and is heading to Montague Oval to take charge. Grace starts calling the shots and Edwin is told to sit still and watch their son and the Montague Municipal Marching Band rock.