MUSIC, US, 2021. Starring Kate Hudson, Maddie Ziegler, Leslie Odom Jr, Mary Kay Place, Hector Elizondo, Juliette Lewis. Directed by Sia. Rated M (Mature themes, violence and coarse language)
Music has a large target audience – long-time fans of Australian musician, Sia. The Australian musician and singer from Adelaide, Sia Kate Isobelle Furler, came to prominence in the US in the mid-2010s. Her recording successes also included a number of music videos (many directed by Sia herself). This is her first feature-length film.
For audiences unfamiliar with Sia, it may take some time to get used to her musical style, as well as the inclusion of songs and dance in this drama. For those who do not respond to music videos, there will be puzzlement, and perhaps the urge to move on.
Music is a colourful and heartfelt drama. As well as being the name of the movie, Music is the name of the title character (Ziegler).
Music is nonverbal and on the autism spectrum. Her grandmother has cared for her, creating a schedule and the important daily routine with the help of neighbourhood friends. However, when the grandmother dies, the chaotic Zu (Hudson) finds herself Music’s sole guardian.
The drama centres around Zu’s attempts to take care of Music – the successes and failures, as well as the emotional and financial problems.
It is an emotionally demanding drama. However, Sia decided the film would be a musical. Throughout the film, there are highly stylised song and dance routines, with the lyrics of the songs echoing some of the dramatic themes. Hudson, Ziegler, and Sia, sing the songs throughout the film.
Which means then that the film is something of a jigsaw, the dramatic sequences, and the music video pieces, connecting for Sia’s admirers, jolting for unprepared audiences who are trying to respond. Some of the strange aspects of the music videos are the use of colour, pastels, unusual (to say the least) costuming, movement and dance, and the involvement of the central characters.
Overall, the film is optimistic. The presentation of Music’s autism is sympathetic, while the rehabilitation story of Zu persuasive enough, relying on the always rather effervescent screen personality of Hudson. Leslie Odom Jr (winner of a Tony award for Hamilton) is sympathetic and it is a pleasure to see Elizondo and Place.
Certainly for the fans – for others, not so certain.
Vertical films
Released 14 January
Peter Malone MSC is an associate Jesuit Media