There’s so much more energy and pop in the musical moments, which is how it should be, but especially in comparison to Johanna’s darker home life. The added element of the family dynamic, and in particular the emphasis on that element, is refreshing and interesting. This kid of story excels at generating empathy, and Johanna is a very likeable and empathetic character. Similarly, the struggles between Deborah and Cliff are painful, awkward and quite believable. Perhaps the biggest strength Scarred Hearts has going for it is the sincerity with which it has apparently been written. There is a very genuine love for music, as well as the characters of the world, that comes across in the script. Scarred Hearts is an empathetic, engaging script that shows a lot of promise.