By the end of Música, Rudy’s lies catch up to him and he loses both his girlfriends. However, he does gain something even more valuable and it’s got little to do with romance and everything to do with puppets.
Música is a semi-autobiographical feature about college student Rudy, who lives with an unusual condition known as synesthesia, meaning he’s easily distracted by normal sounds as his brain transforms them into rhythmic beats. While he’s been dating Haley for over four years, Rudy is starting to realize the two don’t share the same dreams for the future. Complicating things further is Rudy’s mom, Maria, who wants him to break up with Haley and marry a nice Brazilian girl. One day, Rudy meets fishmarket worker Isabella and the two have an immediate connection. So naturally, Rudy starts dating both girls concurrently while trying to figure out what he wants to do with his life after college.
Música Ending Explained
In a fun theatrical sequence, we watch Rudy struggling to juggle his growing relationship with Isabella while continuing to see Haley. While at dinner with Haley’s upper-class and slightly racist parents, Rudy is surprised to hear about the plans she made without him. According to Haley, she and Rudy will move in together after graduating and they’ll both get marketing jobs at the same company.
After a meaningful conversation with his puppet, Diego, Rudy decides that it’s finally time to choose between his two love interests. What he has with Isabella is “magical,” so the logical next step is ending things with Haley.
Rudy Doesn’t End Up With Haley OR Isabella
Hilarity ensues when Rudy takes Haley to a Brazilian restaurant to break up with her only to notice Isabella sitting by herself on the other side of the venue. Flustered, he keeps moving from date to date while getting increasingly more inebriated. Things come to a head when Maria walks in, which leads to Haley and Isabella finally meeting each other. Rudy’s attempts at explaining himself lead to neither Haley nor Isabella wanting anything to do with him. Even his mother is disappointed in how he handled the situation.
After losing both girls, Rudy goes to a party with Anwar and has way too much to drink before getting flashbacks of hiding in the closet as a child when his parents fought. The following day, Rudy wakes up at home with a severe hangover and a broken heart.
Over breakfast, Maria gives her son a pep-talk and encourages him to go find Isabella, if she’s the one who makes him happy. Unfortunately, Isabella is not receptive to Rudy’s attempt at a musical grand gesture. While she appreciates his apologizing, she doesn’t want to be with someone who can’t be honest with her. The two share one last hug before parting ways.
Rudy Takes His Puppet Show to the Next Level
Now single, Rudy falls back into his boring routine. He eventually comes up with an idea to improve his puppet show. He gives Diego a female co-start in Pepita and starts presenting his new act based on his real life at the train station instead of the subway. Rudy’s show becomes a true success and he starts performing it on stage for paying customers.
One night, while in his dressing room after a show, Rudy receives his nightly take-out meal. He notices a little smiley face on the box, similar to the one Isabella left on his fish the first time they met. Inside, there’s a little message, “You took it higher.” This is her way of congratulating Rudy for moving his little show above ground.
For more of my full, spoiler-free thoughts on the movie, check out my Musica review.
