A musical directorial debut that became a commercial and critical failure
In short: When singer-songwriter Sia transitioned from music videos to feature films, she envisioned a sweeping musical drama. Instead, her 2021 debut, Music, sparked intense controversy. While it earned Golden Globe nominations, critics slammed its depiction of autism, and the film struggled to recoup its substantial $16 million budget.
Co-written by Dallas Clayton and directed by Sia, Music tells the story of Zu, a drug dealer recently sober who takes care of her nonverbal autistic teenage half-sister, Music. The production underwent a massive transformation during development; originally intended as a non-musical film, it was re-conceived as a musical, causing the budget to soar from $4 million to $16 million. The story focuses on Zu's struggle to provide for her sister following the death of their grandmother, Millie. This family crisis is compounded by Zu's unemployment and her attempts to fund a move to Costa Rica through illegal means.
The film's release in early 2021 was met with significant backlash. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 7% approval rating from 55 reviews, with critics labeling it 'offensive' and 'misguided' in its portrayal of neurodiversity. Some critics even compared the performance of Maddie Ziegler to Ben Stiller's role in Tropic Thunder, suggesting the depiction of disability felt more like mockery than compelling drama. The production was filmed in mid-2017 over a forty-day period. Additionally, a studio album by Sia was released to accompany the film's launch.
Despite the critical panning and a commercial failure—grossing only $645,949 against its $16 million budget—the film did secure recognition at the 78th Golden Globe Awards. The film earned Golden Globe nods for Best Actress for Kate Hudson and Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. However, the Golden Raspberry Awards were less kind, awarding Hudson, Ziegler, and Sia for Worst Actress, Worst Supporting Actress, and Worst Director, respectively. The film's Australian release was managed by StudioCanal. In the United States, it had a limited IMAX screening before moving to on-demand platforms.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Music (2021 film)
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