Música Movie Review: A familiar melody that is raised by great craft

Movie musicals demand more suspension of disbelief than other films, for characters burst into song and dance from time to time. But what if were indeed aomeone’s everyday life? Prime Video's Música explores Synesthesia (a neurological condition) through the eyes of Rudy Mancuso, showcasing a world where sights and sounds intertwine in a vibrant symphony. With exceedingly impressive craft, and positively distracting making, Música makes for an intriguing watch…. Almost!

Director: Rudy Mancuso
Cast: Rudy Mancuso, Camila Mendes, Francesca Reale, Maria Mancuso
Streaming on: Prime Video

Música delves into the world of synesthesia through Rudy Mancuso, the film's writer, director, and lead actor. Playing himself, Rudy portrays the challenges of navigating life with this unique condition, including struggles with focus and finding purpose. The story further explores Rudy's complex relationships as he juggles his connection with his mother, Maria Mancuso, and the romantic entanglements with two women, Haley (Francesca Reale) and Isabella (Camila Mendes).

Rudy tries to take us on an immersive experience with Música as the visuals and background music are as distracting as he feels at all times. We get a glimpse into his life as a marketing student who does puppet shows in a subway to earn pocket money. He wants to take his musical puppetry to the next level, but he is always out of focus to think further about it. And then there’s his mother, who forces him to embrace his Brazilian roots; and preferably also embrace some Brazilian girls over foreigners. This initial world-building portion of Música is rather interesting and keeps you hooked.

Halfway through Música, the intriguing exploration of synesthesia threatens to be overshadowed. The narrative introduces a predictable love triangle, with Rudy juggling affection for two women, Haley and Isabella.  This clichéd plot device replaces the initial focus on Rudy's unique perception and its impact on his life. Música's potential for a truly original coming-of-age story diminishes as the film becomes consumed by a familiar romantic entanglement.

While the rest of the film takes the predictable route, it does not become monotonous, thanks to the impeccable craft. In a scene in Música, as Rudy speaks to Isabella as they walk to a market, we hear a clumsy background score, making us practically understand how it would be to live with Synesthesia. For a film that addresses puppetry, something that is a part of the real Rudy’s life, it also utilises backgrounds and set properties from the puppet show world, in scenes featuring the film’s leads, giving us the complete meta experience. Música makes up with these portions for its foreseeable screenplay.

Música opens with the intriguing tagline, "Based on a true story, Unfortunately." This hints at a life-altering event for Rudy Mancuso, perhaps the catalyst for his artistic journey. However, while the film explores his potential awakening, it ultimately settles for a familiar rom-com formula, the kind churned out for streaming services every week. But again, Música’s visual delivery is not entirely conventional, and in that way, the film mirrors Rudy’s own self-description: “I am not normal.”