Directed by
Sia

Starring
Kate Hudson, Leslie Odom Jr., Maddie Ziegler and Hector Elizondo

On paper, Music offers a lot to get excited about, but its variously talented components unfortunately don’t come together to produce a cohesive or creative entire feature film.

The story revolves around Zu (Kate Hudson), a newly sober alcoholic and drug dealer who is suddenly thrust into the position of sole guardian of her autistic and non-verbal half-sister, Music (played by Maddie Ziegler, a regular performer in Sia’s music videos and live performances). Zu can barely look after herself let alone another person who is dependent on receiving adequate care and support. Thankfully, she does receive some assistance from a helpful family friend and neighbour, George (Hector Elizondo). But real change beckons soon after when Zu meets Ebo (Leslie Odom Jr.), another neighbour with his own personal struggles.

Music is generating controversy and Sia receiving searing criticism; being labelled as ableist as neither she nor her lead actress has autism. Irrespective of individual opinion, the controversy is arguably further justified given that Maddie Ziegler doesn’t display the range or the skills required to pull off this mammoth challenge. In this case, I do believe that sourcing and casting the right actress on the autism spectrum would have made the significantly meaningful difference to Music Sia is striving for in her feature directional debut. This worked just beautifully in The Peanut Butter Falcon. Instead, it can appear as though the sole motivation for characterising Music this way is because it’s the simplest way to integrate the ten songs Sia has written specifically for the film. These music-driven sequences are intended to reflect the way in which Music views the world around her. Though enjoyable to experience, too many of them are solo performers and feel disconnected from the sluggish progression of the story. All of this can be reasonably backed-up with the knowledge that Music was originally written as a non-music drama and is based on a one-page story by children’s book author Dallas Clayton. In the end, Music survives for as long as it can largely via the performances of and the chemistry shared between Kate Hudson and Leslie Odom Jr.

Sia’s response to the criticism and controversy so far been anything but subtle and accepting. Understandable, when those commenting haven’t actually viewed the film. Let’s hope some more constructive criticism (such as this) can find its way to her way that she is more willing to take on for any future endeavours.

Music is showing in cinemas across Australia from January 14.

Moviedoc thanks Studiocanal, Ned & Co Marketing and Publicity and Annette Smith for the invitation to the screening of this film.

Review by Leigh for Moviedoc
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