Heartstrings And Lies

starring: KATIE LESZYNSKI & KALOND IRLANDA

An FBI agent goes undercover as a pianist to get close to a talented violinist, the daughter of a ruthless crime boss, but their electrifying music chemistry and genuine connection threaten to derail his mission for revenge, forcing him to choose between justice and the love he never expected.

REVIEW

⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is another original treat on @dramashorts_official thanks to writer director @kristensreality and @snowstoryproductions

It takes a little while to get going but that is because there is a lot more going on here than the average vertical, we have plot and character development and mystery as we learn who is really behind all the nefarious goings on and it is so good to be trusted as an audience to watch this.

@katieleszynski lights up the screen as Violet, I would have loved her to be given even more to do, perhaps confronting her parents more at the end

Because this is by far my fave roles for parents in verticals, @corbintimbrook and @moniqueparent get so much to do that is interesting, some super lines and I could have spent a lot more time on the family dynamic. (Can't say more as will spoil plot). Just loved seeing 2 amazing actors get to show what they can do. Hurrah!

@kalond_irlanda Noah is more cerebral than brawn as an FBI agent, which makes the dynamic more interesting and means he is believable as Violet's concert pianist. The one thing I would have loved is a bit more development of their relationship

@evancamachoofficial does an excellent loom as bodyguard Roger

@joelpelletieractor is great fun as violin repairer and matchmaker Amick

And rather enjoyed @iamshannonfoster as FBI agent Nedjra, who keeps you guessing as to her loyalties

It's a little stilted, it felt more like a play at the end with the denouement and some of the deliveries, but it is a great little vertical, that proves you can tell original stories and treat the audience as grown ups

Well done all involved, thank you and more please.

💖 Top swoonworthy moment:

I didn’t really feel it - I can tell Violet is smitten with Noah, she lights up around him, but never sure how much Noah cares, I think because he is so often in managing mode, as the agent, and then more affected by his brother than anything to do with Violet.

🦹🏼‍♂️ Top villain award:

Lorenzo is the obvious big bad, and has a threatening on screen presence, but there are other people up to no good here, and part of the joy is that we work this out as we go along, rather than having it all made obvious from the beginning.

😂 Comedy gold:

Monique Parent gets some super moments early on as Rosemay Sinclair, deadpanning about her husband, and blissfully unaware.

🎺 Unsung hero:

The script because it gives everyone something to work with - for instance this is my favourite role of Corbin Timbrook’s as Violet’s dad Warren, because there are layers to his character, we see him struggle with what he has done, and then be outmanoeuvred by those close to him.

✍🏼 DETAILS

Director & Writer: Kristin Brancaccio | 2025

Available on Dramashorts