Música explores the power of coping mechanisms

Música is a 2024 Amazon original movie written and directed by Rudy Mancuso "based on a true story. Unfortunately." It's a male-focused Rom-com. The movie focuses on Rudy's self-discovery amplified by the relationships he has with music, his mother, his friend, and relationships. I know Rudy Mancuso for his vines often intertwined with music and similar to this movie, his mother and puppet are included so I thought the premise was fitting.

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According to Dictionary.com, a coping mechanism is "an adaptation to environmental stress that is based on conscious or unconscious choice and that enhances control over behavior or gives psychological comfort." This is evident in Rudy's (Rudy Mancuso) life. At a young age, he utilized music to cope with the stress in his family. This coping mechanism helped distract him from the noise and stress of the world. Eventually, he became plagued by it to see the musical ability of sounds everywhere. These moments are distractions of musical formation. His coping mechanism extends to his puppet friend, Diego who he shares his thoughts and feelings with. However, his musical distraction was once interrupted the moment Isabella (Camila Mendes) covered his ears to soothe him. Rudy felt safe enough to tell her of his situation unlike with his girlfriend despite their 4-year relationship. Haley (Francesca Reale) wanted them to get serious with life as their graduation approached. She recognized his love for his puppet and music but felt neglected during his moments of inattention and consideration for his mother.

Rudy channels his love for music and puppets to create plays in the subway. While it is not considered a secure means for the future by Haley, it is encouraged for development by Isabella. Haley being a caucasian displeases his mother, Maria (Maria Mancuso) as she wants him to marry a fellow Brazilian. She goes ahead to act on her hope for him by setting him up but he is uncomfortable with it despite his attempt. Haley is from a wealthy family requiring her to have some stability and structure however, it could be more rigid and distant from his culture. As a single mother and entrepreneur, Maria also wanted Rudy to have some structure but one that didn't take him away from his culture. Eventually, he met a fellow Brazilian who encouraged his love for his culture and mother through her appreciation. Isabella allowed him to be himself and consider his future without the pressure of structure. Their first interaction seeing each other was memorable and he appreciated every moment with her afterwards. They saw each other in the fish market he was sent to by his mother. He is entranced by the sight of Isabella so much so his staring is stopped by an accidental fish slap. As an employee, she wraps his order and signs it with a smiley face as he regains consciousness.

He starts seeing Isabella without any definition of their relationship when Haley returns after breaking up with him. Rudy is perplexed and asks his friend, Anwar (J.B. Smoove) for advice. He encourages her to keep going with both of them and despite his disapproval of this, he ends up doing this. This choice comes to a stop during the restaurant scene. He planned to talk to them but after several postponements, an argument broke out to demand explanations. He confesses all he had been keeping including feeling stressed by his mother wanting to be included in every aspect of his life. He also said he wanted to end things with Haley while wanting to date Isabella. The three ladies are displeased. Rudy discusses with his mother about how he feels abnormal. She questions what is classified as normal before saying nothing is normal while utilizing her life as an example.

She encourages him to be happy by choosing what he truly wants and that includes Isabella. He goes to apologize and confess to Isabella but it is unsuccessful. They live in Newark, New Jersey. Despite their presence in Monroe (the sketchiest area) for their date, it is still appreciated by Isabella before Rudy gets shot. Isabella also appreciates his relationship with his mother because her mother abandoned her for a man. She left her for Brazil and they hardly talk. She's sure about certain things she wants and fears he doesn't know or is ready for what he thinks he wants. She tells him that they won't work now and that he didn't consider her feelings until he was faced with losing her. She encourages him before telling him to leave. During the montage of his days, he is passive but that stops when he decides to develop his puppet show. 

He creates a puppet story of his life so far and Anwar helps him with the operation before the show succeeds. After one of his shows, he receives his ordered food when he notices the same smiley face from the fish celebrating him taking a chance on himself. He smiles at the recognition and support from Isabella. There is no hope for their relationship being anything more but I like them still. I think the movie is filmed well and it's sectioned by different music-related elements. I thought it was interesting that Rudy's friend is called Anwar which reminded me of Anwar Jibawi, who he made videos with along with many others. I enjoyed the prop-changing scene and the restaurant scene because of his communication with the keyboard player.

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