An Fascinating Topic Matter Leads Prime Video’s Vibrant, Refreshing Musical Rom-Com

YouTube stars are making the enormous leap to characteristic movies, and a few are literally good. It’s not totally new to see a well-recognized face pop up in ensemble casts typically. Nonetheless, one should undoubtedly be expert sufficient to go behind the digital camera and produce a challenge for a serious studio or streaming service. Enter Rudy Mancuso, who performs a model of himself in Prime Video’s musical rom-com, Música. A younger man inflicted by synesthesia is caught within the tight grips of coming of age, torn between his coronary heart, duty to his mom, and discovering his means by means of life.

Based mostly on author, director, and star Rudy Mancuso, Música is a coming-of-age love story that follows an aspiring creator with synesthesia who should come to phrases with an unsure future whereas navigating the pressures of affection, household, and his Brazilian tradition.

Execs

• Nice chemistry between Rudy Mancuso and Camila Mendes
• A heartfelt story a few man with synesthesia
• An open love letter to Brazilian-American tradition and group

Cons

• Love triangle is a contact an excessive amount of
• Could possibly be roughly 10 minutes shorter

Rudy Mancuso Goes Above & Past A Typical Rom-Com

Mancuso’s chemistry with Camila Mendes is scorching in Música

Mancuso, who co-writes and directs, dives into the cinematic world with a pleasant romantic comedy. Música drastically understands the long-standing style and Mancuso develops an enthralling onscreen romance with Riverdale’s Camila Mendes (one which developed off-screen, too). Mendes has simply come off of one other Prime Video rom-com with Upgraded, and proves as soon as once more how well-suited she is to the style and will very nicely be on her strategy to changing into a rom-com queen. Her chemistry with Mancuso is palpable, and her character is endearing, albeit cliché. The movie would not succeed in the event that they weren’t on the identical web page; fortunately, they’re.

The movie has all of the rom-com conventions that make sense for this challenge: The overbearing mom, a love curiosity who simply desires the result in strive tougher, a too-cool-for-school lady who accepts him wholeheartedly (however, for some tousled cause, that isn’t sufficient for Rudy to make the correct alternative), a messy love triangle, a friendship with a humorous comic (J.B. Smoove), and naturally, a lead who must get their life collectively earlier than they entertain a love triangle. Mancuso makes use of the rom-com construction to inform a deeply transferring and thrilling story past what exists on the floor.

Rudy is Brazilian-American, so Mancuso infuses his film with a deep appreciation for his tradition and the liveliness of Brazilian music. He additionally goes additional by tapping into the nuanced impact of tradition on Rudy’s relationships, as his girlfriend comes from a suburban white household, which has its personal set of obstacles for the connection. Mendes’ Isabella shares his background, and Mancuso illustrates how therapeutic and comforting it’s to have robust frequent floor. Mancuso additionally doesn’t pit the viewers towards Rudy’s mom, and there’s a respectful poking enjoyable on the archetypal mom determine that exists in each tradition.

Música Is Not Your Typical Musical

It is made all the higher for it as a result of it is not the norm

There may be additionally the synesthesia, which impacts Rudy’s life in ways in which Francesca Reale’s Hayley and his mom (Maria Mancuso) can’t comprehend as a result of they don’t seem to be in his sneakers. Nonetheless, this side of the story leads Mancuso to include musical parts that work together with his coming-of-age story. Música is refreshing in that means. It’s not a typical musical the place folks break into music and dance to precise their emotions. Mancuso invitations us into Rudy’s head, permitting us to expertise synesthesia in an genuine means. He isn’t strolling round his neighborhood because it turns into In The Heights in his head.

His method feels extra pure, though it’s a contact exaggerated for our sake. Nonetheless, how the music in Rudy’s head is explored all through the movie is seamless; it is completed in a means that doesn’t make Rudy really feel like an remoted case. Though his situation is dropped at life in a means solely film magic can do, Mancuso describes and exhibits us that all of us dwell with this to various levels. Sound is commonly a key issue once we discuss in regards to the locations we dwell and our communities.

The musical interludes are used sparingly and by no means outstay their welcome. That’s partially as a result of a narrative is creating as Rudy grapples with the subsequent steps of his grownup life. Música would not linger, ending after a merciful 90 minutes, although one other 10 minutes might have been shaved off with out negatively impacting the movie. Personally, the love triangle is a bit an excessive amount of, because the identical story might have successfully been informed with out Rudy juggling two or extra ladies. As a result of Mancuso assaults this story with nice precision, the Haley aspect of the story might have been trimmed.

Rudy Mancuso Nails His Directorial Debut

Nonetheless, Mancuso is aware of precisely how Música ought to feel and look and what the impression must be as soon as the film ends. Generally, musical movies get misplaced within the novelty of singing or musical segments and lose the story thread. Mancuso’s moderately militant method not solely permits the story and relationships to flourish meaningfully, however he additionally offers our protagonist an precise arc that’s relatable and inspiring.

Música is stuffed with coronary heart and rhythm. It will certainly endear many to Mancuso and Mendes (in the event that they aren’t enamored together with her already). Mancuso showcases a capability to have a agency imaginative and prescient and execute it with precision — a necessity for a directorial debut. Years of being an internet character is a plus for the YouTuber-turned-filmmaker, as Música isn’t simply one other movie impressed by a creator’s life. Mancuso’s lived experiences with synesthesia and being Brazilian make the already vibrant movie resonate strongly. From its compelling subject alternative, a star-making lead function, stellar ensemble solid, and artful execution, Música is a must-see.