Writer/director Devin Dugan’s Read Me Like a Song is a short rom-com musical. It begins with Cash (Varun Rajan) and his best friend Huddie (Alen Kolenovic) walking down the sidewalk. The two melophiles are in a heated discussion over whether cover songs or originals are better. They break into song to prove their respective points. The two are heading to a quirky indie bookstore so Cash can talk with his crush, Melody (Joann Veera). The problem is he gets too bashful to actually say anything, so the man and woman haven’t said much to each other during his time at the shop.
Running 22 minutes long, the short is a fun look at how art connects us all. Cash and Huddie are friends because of their shared love of music. While Melody’s escape of choice is books, that doesn’t mean she cannot relate to them. Well, that is if they’d ever end one of their conversations long enough for her to get a word in. Dugan hones in on the idea that having a passion is important, and he couldn’t be any more correct.
Huddie (Alen Kolenovic) breaks into song as Cash (Varun Rajan) watches outside a brick building in Read Me Like A Song.
“…heading to a quirky indie bookstore so Cash can talk with his crush, Melody.”
Most of the songs are good. The first one is the weakest amongst the bunch because it is trying to mimic the style of the musicians referenced in the lyrics. This causes some awkward music changes. The actors all sing well enough and are clearly having fun.
Read Me Like a Song is a cute, fun film. Dugan understands how art can move and connect people and plays into that nicely. While not perfect, it is exciting to witness a new musical with a refreshing point of view.
"…cute and fun..."
