2024 is already shaping up to be a year full of surprise hits in film. From Summer-defining sleepers like Snack Shack to genre-defining horror hits like The First Omen or Late Night With The Devil. Even a film like Dune Part 2, which had high expectations already, wholly exceeded them to become one of the better sci-fi films ever made. Enter Música, a musical rom-com starring, directed, co-written, composed and choreographed by former vine star Rudy Mancuso. Música comes as a complete surprise that delighted and entertained me in a way I was not expecting, given how little promotional attention the film received.
Música is the semi-autobiographical tale of Rudy (Mancuso), a Brazilian man living in New Jersey with his mom. Rudy struggles with synesthesia, a condition in which the senses get intertwined and mesh together. This condition has thrown his life sideways, ruining relationships among other things. But it also has given Rudy the opportunity to see life from a different lens. He can hear music in everyday life, and that ability guides his passion for music. Rudy is dating Haley (Francesca Reale), an over-bearing, self-absorbed white girl when he meets Isabella (Camila Mendes), a brazilian woman working in the local fish market. Rudy instantly bonds with Isabella, and he shows her into his world of music (and puppets) but struggles with ending things with Isabella.
Mancuso, in describing the film, has given it the moniker of an “anti-musical musical”. There are no flashy musical numbers, singing or instrumentation. Instead, the music of the film is created organically through things in everyday life. Bouncing basketballs become drums, trash cans become cymbals, etc. It’s incredibly unique and lends itself to how Mancuso sees the world; he experiences life in music. In fact, according to Mancuso himself, all the film’s music was created on set during takes, without studio overdubbing afterwards. That’s a tremendous feat in filmmaking.
It helps because it’s so obvious that he has a passion for the story he is telling. Yes, Mancuso wears a ton of hats in the production of the film, but without him telling the story, orchestrating the music and dance, and being the face of the story, it doesn’t work. He cares deeply for the story he’s telling, and it shows on screen. From incorporating Brazilian culture seamlessly to being unafraid to tackle race issues that Brazilian people face works because Mancuso is in the driver’s seat. There’s also a great familiarity in the humor of the movie, especially if you’ve been aware of Mancuso since his days on Vine.
As far as the actual movie goes, it’s really entertaining. The story doesn’t do anything totally outside the ordinary, but it does subvert some aspects of your typical rom com that play well in the confines of the film. I think that was a smart choice though, as the story doesn’t get in the way of the style of Música. Do they focus too much on the style at points? Yes, I think so. But it works regardless.
Mancuso and Mendes in particular have a great chemistry, which makes sense, since the two, while immensely talented, also started dating in late 2022. Mancuso’s mother in the film is also played by his real-life mom, Maria. This all lends to particularly excellent and believable acting across the board.
I was most impressed, however, by how the film is shot. I’m a sucker for one-take shots, and there’s a five minute one-take montage in the middle of the film that is one of the better ones I can remember seeing. It was unique and engaging, something that Música is able to do consistently throughout its runtime.
Final Thoughts
Música is an incredibly unique movie that completely surprised me. It’s story, while simple, was fun and engaging. There’s a cool style to it that cannot be understated. Rudy Mancuso is undeniably talented, and I will be excited to see what he has in store next. If you can, go watch Música, it’s totally worth it.
