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5.9/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 5.9/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Music in the Air remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Look, if you have a soft spot for pre-war musicals and don't mind a story that feels like it’s being told through a thick layer of velvet curtains, sure. You’ll probably enjoy it if you like old-school stage adaptations. If you’re allergic to people singing their feelings or plot points that rely entirely on people refusing to just have a five-minute conversation, you are going to hate this.
It’s not exactly a masterpiece, but there’s something weirdly earnest about it. Everyone is playing their roles like they're in a high-stakes school play, which is actually kind of endearing if you don't think about it too hard.
The whole jealousy plot is such a tired trope, but there’s a specific sequence where the main couple tries to make each other jealous, and it just lands completely flat. It feels like watching two people try to perform an argument they read about in a pamphlet.
Also, the music. It’s fine, I guess? It’s not going to change your life, but it’s pleasant enough. It’s got that specific, chirpy 1930s tone that feels like drinking tea that’s been sitting out for three hours. Not bad, just... there.
It’s nowhere near as snappy as Speedy Meade, but it’s got its own rhythm. It's a bit like watching a clockwork toy that keeps getting stuck. You reach in, give it a little nudge, and it starts ticking again. Whether it’s worth the effort is really up to you.
The ending feels like it arrived about twenty minutes early and decided to just hang out until the audience left. It’s not great, but it’s not the worst way to spend a rainy afternoon. Just don't go in expecting to have your mind blown. Sometimes, a movie is just a movie. 🤷♂️
