Music (2021)

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 favorite themes: finding your voice and creating family.

Director:

Sia

Writers:

Sia (screenplay by), Dallas Clayton (screenplay by)

Stars:

Kate Hudson, Leslie Odom Jr., Maddie Ziegler

Nominated for 2 Golden Globes.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Maddie Ziegler	...	Music
Mary Kay Place	...	Millie
Leslie Odom Jr.	...	Ebo
Braeden Marcott	...	Nassir
Beto Calvillo	...	Felix
Blair Williamson	...	Abel
Hector Elizondo	...	George
Eric Davis	...	Police Officer
Kate Hudson	...	Zu
Sarah Zinsser	...	Woman at AA Meeting
Tig Notaro	...	Radgicals Host
Lena Dunham	...	Administrator on Phone with Zu (voice)
Luoyong Wang	...	Felix's Dad
Celeste Den	...	Felix's Mom
Ben Schwartz	...	Rudy

Storyline

Zu is newly sober and finding her way in the world 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 favorite themes -- finding your voice and what it means to create family.

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Plot Keywords:

ableist | ableism | physical restraint | autistic | written by director | 

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Genres:

Drama | Musical

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for thematic content, drug material, brief violence and strong language

Did You Know?

Trivia

Upon the trailer's release, Sia was criticized for casting Maddie Ziegler as an autistic character. Furthermore, Sia was also criticized for impulsively defending the casting choice on Twitter. In response to the controversies, Sia stated, "I have to admit to being ableist to a degree; I mean, I'm not proud of it .... I have to admit I'm a little bit ableist, and also I view her (Maddie) as - she's like a daughter to me, so I'm also nepotist .... I know that there's a lot of things that I would like to be better about myself, and I think that I got prickly because it had only been a one minute teaser that had been put out, and I broke a couple of rules; I tweeted after midnight, and I also was a little bit facetious and I think I hurt someone's feelings. I was really trying to be cheeky, but it was a bit of an asshole thing to say to someone who was saying 'Well, I could have played that role' and I just said 'Well maybe you're not just a very good actor' ... I've learned my lesson, I wish I never really said anything to be honest, but although if I hadn't I wouldn't have learned so much."

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Goofs

In the sequence for "Music", the character Music is shown twirling counter-clockwise. When it cuts back to her twirling, she's spinning the other direction.

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Quotes

Music: [from tablet] I am happy.
[giggles]

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Crazy Credits

In Sia's special thanks, she credits "Godchild" in reference to Maddie Ziegler, "Bunkie" in reference to her makeup artist, Tonya Brewer, and "Le David", a nickname for her manager, David Russell. She also credits "My Australians"

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Connections

Referenced in Josiah Rises: Sia REGRETS Casting A WHITE Woman In Her Hollywood Film "Music"... WTF (2021)

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Soundtracks

Music (Apartment Duet)
Written by Sia (as Sia Furler), Chris Braide (as Christopher Braide)
Performed by Kate Hudson, Leslie Odom Jr.

User Reviews

I would give it zero stars if I could

This movie is awful. It was blatantly offensive, and there was no effort made to have an autistic actor play the role of an autistic character. Because of this, the portrayal of Music is offensive and looks like someone mocking autistic people. There were restraint techniques shown that are dangerous and could kill autistic people, despite this there was no disclaimer like Sia claimed there would be. This is inspiration p*rn by definition, it's a story about autistic people that is made for anyone but us (I have ASD). On top of that, it's badly written. The plot is non-existent, the characters are flat and unrelatable, and the light effects (flashing and bright colors) make is near impossible for lots of autistic and neurodivergent people to watch it. Don't see this movie, it's disgusting and ableist to the core.

Details

Official Sites:

musicthemovie Sia's website

Country:

USA

Language:

English Mandarin

Release Date:

12 February 2021 (USA)

Also Known As:

Music

Box Office

Budget:

$16,000,000 (estimated)

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$619,049

Company Credits

Production Co:

Landay Entertainment, Atlantic Films, Crush Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1