MUSICA (2024)

 

Directed By: Rudy Mancuso

Written By: Rudy Mancuso and Dan Lagana 

Cinematography: Shane Hurlbut 

Editor: Melissa Kant 

Cast: Rudy Mancuso, Camila Mendes, J.B. Smoove, Francesca Reale, Maria Mancuso, Camila Senna 

A coming-of-age love story that follows an aspiring creator with synesthesia, who must come to terms with an uncertain future, while navigating the pressures of love, family, and his Brazilian culture in Newark, New Jersey.

This is an unorthodox yet familiar romantic tale. As it stays fun though it has very few or little stakes.

The film separates itself with its style of warmth, Goodwill, and positivity. its clear love of its culture.

The film is very surreal and an original inspiring musical. That is cultural yet universal, with him being the Co-writer, Director, and star as well as scoring the film, he is a one-man band that makes the film all the more personal allowing it to be imaginative and playful.

Special mention must be made for Camila Mendes is noteworthy here and a dynamic working actress seeing her in so many different projects recently. She is good and in each of them, she grabs her attention immediately, especially impressed with her range comes through despite the emphasis on her in certain roles. It’s all the glory for him but she is the one he chases and is inspired by. Who accepts him for who he is?

At times, the film looks like a dynamic avant-garde stage play especially in the middle, With many memorable and hilarious scenes that are heartfelt as well as identifiable.

The film plays with the tricky dimensions of the mind and obviously subtle comfortable ways that emphasize the lead character and imagination in the many ways to not only tell a story but illustrate one that might feel common sets itself as an individual.

The film's strength is strong in the comedic, scenes. the romantic ones feel truly heartfelt and honest classic way made to be modern.

One Could complain about such extravagant use of such a small and simple story but one could also argue while pretty it’s what makes it so real that in life our stories might be small to others, but feel monumental to us in the moment and not only can be surreal, but what we see in our own minds, even if others don’t.

That you might wish would happen and you know you have found a connection when you are with someone who understands or speaks that same language and adds to it making memorable melodies yourselves

Grade: B