An Autistic reviews Sia’s movie “Music”

#autism #sia #moviereview
In this video i talk about Sia’s new movie Music, since I am autistic, i figured i should give my thoughts on this film. Don’t forget to visit my website and pre-order my single “Someone”, available on march 12th 😁
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[@levibow4124]

Also the whole idea of the dance numbers representing how autistic people see the world is... interesting. Does she think we’re on crack? /sarcastic

[@emmetlover206]

I like the idea of that just not how it was done.

[@ginandromeda1618]

Most of Maddie Ziegler's dancing in Sia's videos are very bouncy and overexpressive like that. The question is, would a non-verbal autistic person dance like that in front of so many lights and colors?

[@carlycrays2831]

Honestly, I think under a better creative team, that part could have worked.

[@levibow4124]

I didn’t like how Kate Hudson’s character only starts to get better and grow in a montage at the end. The entire movie was just her being a bad sister until the end when she’s...better? I don’t know. The plot was all over the place.

[@CorySinger]

This movie was a mess.

[@lovers_cult]

@@CorySinger You commented to other autistic review that the movie wasn't bad and now it's a mess? ok...

[@karasuthedreamer6353]

I’m sure there would’ve been an Autistic Special Olympic gymnast (or athlete from another dance-like sport) who would’ve been an excellent fit for the role. Gymnastics, especially rhythmic, uses a lot of the same skills as dance (and I assume a sport like cheerleading would as well; I’d love to hear the thoughts of any Special Olympics cheerleaders if there are any reading this). I compete rhythmic gymnastics via Special Olympics and have been to quite a few competitions. There are quite a few amazing performers, even some who Society would consider to have more severe needs) at the competitions I’ve been to. I’m sure among all the dance-like sports special Olympics offers there would be plenty of athletes who could also act.

[@TheWildrickFamily]

I appreciate your review and stance on things. Thank you also for explaining that you can only speak from your experience and not the experience of someone who is non-verbal. I look forward to listening to your music and seeing your other movie reviews.

[@MrKikip1992]

The movie wasn't even about Music, she was like a prop to advance the plot. She didn't even have to be autistic. She could have been a baby or even a dog and the plot would have been exactly the same. The songs and dance numbers were pointless and stalled the plot. You said you enjoyed the music but to be honest I found all the songs incredibly forgettable. It was clearly just a massive vanity project for Sia, that was incredibly evident when her really awkward and cringey cameo showed up. I'm not autistic myself, but I have worked with autistic teens for a large part of my career and this movie was so upsetting and incredibly difficult to watch in parts.

[@Bella-lh7kf]

Can we just a movie who has Autism but it’s not the MAIN thing

[@levibow4124]

Thank you! I’m more than my autism.

[@CorySinger]

The power rangers movie is a great example of that. The blue Ranger is on the spectrum, and they handle it in one of the most mature ways that I have seen. He is a character outside of autism.

[@Awesome_ty_geek]

Ik right

[@rsfilmdiscussionchannel4168]

You mean not the main thing for the autistic character? Yeah I'd like that. It's not the main thing for this movie, but then again this movie didn't have a main thing at all.

[@amandamandamands]

The movie wasn't originally written as a musical, Sia was given an extra $10m to turn it into one. The imagination stuff is how she did it.

[@hamflavoredlipbalm6077]

As a non autistic person, I feel like Forrest Gump was what Music wanted to be. While the film was definitely a product of the time, Forrest Gump was undeniably about Forrest, his life, and his perspective. Music is pretty much just Kate Hudson's character using Music as a tool for self improvement. I could be talking out of place here, but it's just something I thought about.

[@Flareontoast]

Loved your review! Beware of people who are gonna call you a hater, other reviews from autistic people are getting dislikes and comments from NTs who are convinced nothing about the movie was problematic

[@FruityHachi]

i haven't watched the film but the more i hear about it, the more i agree with the hypothesis that it's about sia and maddie sia is zu, and maddie is music sia made music non-verbal which symbolizes how sia silences maddie (like when she made maddie play the role despite maddie crying and worrying she'll upset people, and how sia sabotages maddie's career by not allowing maddie to collaborate with others) and that music needs support all her life, which symbolizes how sia views maddie, that maddie needs sia (which would explain why sia is overprotective of maddie) zu is sia, sia also struggled with addiction and became godmother of maddie like zu becoming a legal guardian of music the movie is about zu's development, which could symbolize that maddie helped sia in some way (which would explain why sia is so obsessed with maddie) the restraint scenes could also symbolize something about sia and maddie's relationship, maybe sia gets abusive when maddie talks back to her, when she doesn't want to be in sia's control(?)

[@Just_One_Tree]

Thanks for your review!

[@ouidahalford1351]

You are so awesome Cory!!! ❤

[@theoturgoose3628]

Sia is like the female version of micheal jackson lol very true

[@thegayone1911]

Hello! I was just introduced to this channel when you SUBBED to me! I'm so glad I came here. My best friend is autistic and this really helps me see from her eyes. I love this channel and guess what.... I subbed!!!

[@CorySinger]

Thanks for the love 🥰

[@Shamelessweb]

I literally got five minutes in and the flashing made me have a sensory overload and then the one dude held her down like what let me tell people who don’t know is you never touch someone having a sensory overload it makes it worse the film is just a savior music video basically sia wanted attention but didn’t educate herself in autism and how to represent people on the spectrum. Anyways love the video loved all your points!

[@susieruth1558]

What do you think about a Disney princess with a disability?

[@ellielovegood6307]

As someone with autism I’d love that, representation is important and it would be amazing for children with disabilities to see themselves on screen

[@CorySinger]

That would be pretty cool

[@ellielovegood6307]

@Alice music is different Maggie’s performance felt like how neurotypicals would make fun of my stimming

[@ellielovegood6307]

@Alice just ask, and work with people on the spectrum , and make sure it’s different people because everyone on the spectrum is different

[@ellielovegood6307]

@Alice it would’ve been nice if she didn’t show prone restraints or when autistic people tried correcting her actually listen to them

[@piiinkDeluxe]

500th subscriber 😁

[@ElfisPerezLee]

Sia has EDS. It’s heavily associated with autism and is even one cause of autism because it is a genetic collagen mutation that structures the brain differently, aka not neurotypical. There is a very good possibility that Sia is high functioning and on the autism spectrum. I personally have both. EDS effects anything with collagen so, everything in your body. EDS leaves you prone to organ ruptures, joint dislocations, lack of oxygen to the brain, ataxia, tachycardia, gastroperesis, brain aneurism, sudden death and so much more. EDS is an invisible disability and we go through life being confronted for stuff like this, being called weird, freaks. liar, faker, attention seeking etc. and that is exactly what is going on here. EDS gives us thick stretchy skin and an elastic heart that stretches to the point it snaps and bursts. And another one bites the dust. The reverse ableism thrown at Sia is astounding and I think you owe Sia an apology. Sia owes no apology. EDS is one of the most excruciating disorders around when things break down and it’s deadly. Sia is not as able as you might think, and is much closer to the autistic community than you might think too.

[@levibow4124]

3:40 I believe his name is Felix. I feel like he was just in the movie to up the run time.

[@sheroo1000]

No omg his part was the best scene of the entire film!! I cried and cried and cried. The film was a boring mess except his part and the musical scenes. Those were exceptional

[@levibow4124]

@@sheroo1000 even if they were good, it still doesn’t excuse the fact that she marketed it for autistic people and then made the movie unwatchable for many of us.

[@sheroo1000]

@@levibow4124 That has nothing to do with my point

[@levibow4124]

@@sheroo1000 it has everything do with this review and the movie I’m general though. This movie was bad and deserves the hate it’s getting.

[@sheroo1000]

@@levibow4124 Yeah but the Felix and musical scenes were stunning and emotional

[@marktaylor2087]

I just rented it on KZbin (20/03/21) and the restraint scenes were there, no warnings. One other thing I’d like to add is that as well as everything else, it’s an extremely boring movie. One of my autistic quirks is that I really struggle to focus on movies, so I’m probably not the best barometer for this kind of thing, but usually if it’s autism (or plane) related I can pay attention. As you rightly pointed out, there very little to do with autism in the film, it’s basically just a very very boring tired old boy-meets-girl movie propped up by bs about apparently supporting the autism community. 🥱🥱🥱

[@ridealongwithnicolle1581]

Sia should have not been in the movie. It was like she was trying to be Stan Lee. Also you are right Music wasn't the main character and i feel as though Music should have been the main character.

[@MissKayy90]

I didn’t see the movie but from what I’ve heard that Sia only cast Maddie and the whole thing between Sia and Maddie is very fucking weird!

[@StitchGV]

The point of the “Felix” character was that he was a friend who made it possible to allow Music to take her walks “by herself” and experience a small piece of independence and normalcy that she couldn’t otherwise have. He did this at the expense of his own happiness, as apparently it would make him late to his family’s business, which angered his already-abusive father. Alternately he represents people in oppressive situations who are pressured by those close to them to be something they’re not. He was a compassionate shy kid who was interested in dance and his father was forcing him to be a fighter. I imagine this is meant to be relatable to the LGBTQ experience, as well as having representation for Asian people and alternative body types. The point of his death was for Music’s experience of loss and change, which is extremely difficult for her. We see this reiterated the morning after his death when Zu, George, and Ebo haven’t yet heard what happened, and Music is truly walking by herself for the first time, showing stress and discomfort because she notices his absence. This comes after a night of noticing her sister’s feelings for the first time and realizing she might be the cause of Zu’s stress, making this a moment when she may have needed to see her friend’s face more than ever, and he was gone. The last thing Felix does before he dies is get her a service dog, which is the completion of her newfound sense of security with Zu and Ebo, and possibly a substitute for the role he played in her small piece of independence. After watching/reading many reviews of this movie, I’m guessing these details were too subtle. Because I seem to be the only one who got the point of Felix, and to see how the movie was trying to show Music as a person like any other, in a very nonchalant way. I think more than anything, they wanted us to almost forget she has severe autism after a while and just see her as another complex character, while adapting to her different way of experiencing the events of the story. At her level, it would have been unrealistic and patronizing to include her in all of Zu’s story, so her story was a more simple one, while telling us just as much about who she is and what she wants. Unfortunately I guess that came off more as objectifying her and making her a supporting character. Making her autism “not a big deal” translated as making her character pointless, and I can see that was definitely not the intention.

[@ThePowerinknowledge]

I also definitely got the point of the character Felix & his value to the story, but I think most non-fans didn't bother because they'd written the movie off altogether. I also think it's possible Sia was paying homage to her fans who are "lovers" not fighters. Felix had zero interest in boxing/fighting, but obviously was forced into it by his abusive father. Before his match he is seen embracing his opponent, instead of the usual touching gloves. Felix is also adopted, and his a-hole father says to his wife something like..."remind me again why we adopted this blank", after he showed up late to work because of keeping watch of Music during part of her neighborhood walk. He also doesn't talk at all in the scenes... I'm assuming to represent those domestic abuse victims without a voice, those who were not able to protect themselves. He is a kind, loving soul who not only pays the fruit lady before Music reaches her stand... but he buys her a service dog to help with her needs and because she LOVES dogs.

[@StitchGV]

@@ThePowerinknowledge Yeah. This whole thing is just heartbreaking on so many levels. First, because of how the autistic community was misrepresented because of Autism Speaks (and supporters of them) being the biggest name in autism education and the primary source of information for the project. And second, because such a beautiful movie was so marred by it that nobody can even watch it thoroughly enough to see all the things that make it good. And yes, even I’ll admit that opening dance number is EXTREMELY hard to look at... it was very unnecessary, careless, and frankly didn’t even make sense; if in her dreamworld she doesn’t have a disability and nothing is uncomfortable or confusing to her, then why would she be doing the behaviors? And why that number, but not the others? 🤦🏼‍♀️ If it was trying to tell us she has severe autism, we already know that without choreographed stimming. 😂 But other than that, I’m able to see it for what it is rather than for what it isn’t and find it beautiful. I do however respect that actual autistic people are tired of movies about autism being “not it” and can’t see past the misrepresentation anymore. This movie is the straw that broke the camels back and I get it, but I do feel bad for the people who worked on it who I believe didn’t have bad intentions, and didn’t even know they were working with a “hate group”.

[@ThePowerinknowledge]

@@StitchGV Heartbreaking for sure. I truly believe that this movie is going to end up helping the autism community in the long run though. Like you said, the straw that broke the camels back. It has brought a lot of awareness - maybe not thru the film itself, but thru the controversy over it. I have to admit, I'm middle aged and didn't know such terms as ableism, neurodivergent, high needs as opposed to low functioning, etc. I didn't understand the uproar over Maddie playing the character Music, as it seemed reasonable given its a fictional story. I get it now that its about having fair representation and being treated with dignity. "Nothing about us without us". From what I know about Sia, she is also a kind, loving soul and would never intend to harm anyone... ever. She is very witty and can be very facetious, which can be misinterpreted and even inappropriate at times. She likes to push the envelope with her art but I think this time, unfortunately, it was misguided. I really wish Sia could have a do over! If she could, who would you like to see play the role of Music?

[@StitchGV]

@@ThePowerinknowledge I feel like in order for someone else to play Music, the entire role would have to be rewritten. It was written for Maddie, molded to her talents, so I think it would be difficult for even another neurotypical person to play her. I think the main issue with the movie is not really who played Music, but rather the kind of movie that was written. I think a more acceptable movie would be one that focused on autism, provided education on it and the different kinds, showed a more common life that an autistic person and their caregivers might live, and had roles written for actual high-assistance people. It would also need to be a movie that people with sensory issues could tolerate. The autistic people and kids I know have no problem with bright colors and quick scene changes, but some do. That’s the movie they want, but that’s not the movie Sia made or ever said she was going to make. She made just another movie featuring autism that would fit perfectly in the 90s and 2000s, that apparently actual autistic people are sick of.

[@ThePowerinknowledge]

@@StitchGV What I was actually asking was...if Sia had another $16 million budget to reshoot the film, who in the autistic community would you have liked to see play the role of Music? Maddie is an extraordinary dancer, but not the only person capable of that role, even if it was written for her. I understand your points about wanting a different type of movie, I get it. I'm just wondering what could have made the current movie more acceptable to most? Music played by an actual autistic person; the character being portrayed less stereotypically; the character not being sidelined; the restraint scenes removed; the visuals with strobe lighting and other over-stimulating effects removed? All understandable. Imo, though, the film was not actually an "autism" movie as there were many issues at play. Addiction & recovery, domestic abuse, inability to afford life-saving medicine, loneliness, etc. If the movie had been titled ZU and Sia never said it was a love letter to the autistic community, and it was played by an autistic actress with the restraint scenes removed... would that have been enough? With all due respect, this wasn't a documentary that was made FOR the autistic community. Perhaps she can make things right by actually directing one in the future that is much more autistic viewer-friendly, and then donating a portion of the $ to neurodivergent research and education. Just a thought...

[@tracygrey8781]

Great review 👍

[@davidbolger7309]

Awesome shirt by the way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now grow yer hair long and grab yerself a Bulletbelt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@sagesixparties7217]

Maddie is a Horrible Dancer, Jojo Siwa is a Better dancer

[@emmanueldunk8290]

If you love movies and that you're autistic, go be a filmmaker yourself.