Zu is newly sober when she receives news
that she is to become the sole guardian of her half-sister named Music, a young
girl on the autism spectrum. The film explores two of Sia's favourite themes
finding your voice and creating family.
Director: Sia
Cast: Kate Hudson, Maddie Ziegler, Leslie
Odom Jr., Héctor Elizondo, Ben Schwartz, Beto Calvillo
Release Date:
Genre: Drama, Musical
Rated PG-13 for thematic content, drug
material, brief violence and strong language
Runtime: 1 h 47 min
Review:
Sia’s directorial
debut has garnered a massive amount of press before its release mainly for all
the wrong reasons. Sia’s intentions and
heart seem to be in the right place but the finished product falls into a strange
hybrid of a visual album and an autistic melodrama. The musical numbers are very much on brand
with Sia’s previous works and performances.
They are candy colored fantasy’s that pop right off the screen with
booming vocals that’s sure to please fans of the singer. The drama portion is anchored by strong
performances from Kate Hudson and Leslie Odom Jr. who elevate the script which
feels like a relic from the past. It unapologetically
pulls on every heartstring possible which makes film’s like 1985’s Mask or 1976’s
The Boy in the Bubble seem subtle by comparison. Maddie Ziegler casting as the titular Music
has caused the biggest uproar since she’s a neurotypical actress playing an
autistic character. The issue is
ultimately a bigger issue that needs to be addressed but in terms of this film,
Ziegler’s performance is decidedly broad and overstated. Music is ultimately the type of vanity
project that’s probably suffered from being created in a bubble which resulted
in tunnel vision to its detriment.
C
