Mozart in the Jungle - Season 1 Review
This review of Season 1 of Mozart in the Jungle is spoiler-free!
Not long ago I made mention of music is an absolutely critical part of cinema and television. When you think about some of your favorite moments from anything you've seen on the big or small screen, there's a musical cue that most likely comes along with it. For me, I remember moments like the end of Blade Runner, with the beautiful score quietly playing behind Roy's incredible speech. Music is a large factor in many scenes, as without that music playing behind the scene it has a completely different feeling. There's not the same emotional punch or overall enjoyment that comes from the scene. Looking back, I should have guessed that music would eventually become the main character of a show. Mozart in the Jungle tackles the world of the symphony in New York, and the struggles of choosing a career that requires more dedication than most.
Mozart in the Jungle tackles the story of Hailey, an ambitious oboist seeking to get her shot at playing in the New York Symphony. She's working multiple jobs to keep herself going in a world that many give up trying to work through. But, Hailey isn't the only star of the show, as another main star of the show is the new and unique maestro of the Symphony: Rodrigo De Souza. His journey begins with conflict as the previous leader of this group believes he is ruining everything built and seeks to have his role returned. I really had no idea what I was getting into when I began Mozart in the Jungle. It seems like a show that could overdue some of it's best moments, but working as a dramedy it allows itself to be serious and comedic at different moments. Rodrigo and Hailey are the beating heart of the show and seeing their dueling worlds come together is great television.
Speaking of Rodrigo and Hailey, let's dive into the starring performances. Playing Hailey we have Lola Kirke. Hailey is an immediately likable girl who happens to find herself in multiple situations that really aren't that beneficial to her. But, Kirke has this endless positivity she brings to the role that allows you to always be rooting for Hailey and makes her that much more enjoyable as a character. BUT, the true star of the show is Gael Garcia Bernal. Rodrigo is without a question the best character Mozart in the Jungle has to offer. He views the world differently and I can absolutely tell Bernal loves playing this character because he gives his all in his performance. It's no wonder Bernal has been considered one of the best performers for this role, it's simply incredible work.
There are some beautiful themes that come into play throughout this first season of Mozart in the Jungle. The most important of which is the power of music. Rodrigo's goal is to show the magic that music has and that it's more than just a sound. Seeing this journey through the discovery of music as an art is beautiful and it helps to really give the show a solid foundation on which to build on. The other major theme is dreams and whether to chase them or settle. The answer to that is obvious, but there are multiple people throughout this show that try to challenge the hopes and aspirations of our two leads, and their perseverance is great as they try to stay the course in a world that wants only for them to fail.
Mozart in the Jungle is a different style of television. Tackling something as unique as the New York Symphony meant immediately that this show would be fighting an uphill battle for viewers. Truth be told though, this show manages to capture the emotion and power of this art form in all of its glory. Sure the music stays within one genre and doesn't ever truly stretch it's wings, but for now that's ok. For those who feel like they've seen everything there is to see in the world of television and film, let Mozart in the Jungle bring you in and show you the true power that music brings to the world.
