FILM REVIEW: CODA

 CODA

Comedy-Drama film 2021

CODA is a coming-of-age comedy-drama film written and directed by Sian Heder.It is a heartwarming and poignant film that follows the story of a deaf family and their hearing daughter, Ruby, who dreams of pursuing a career in music. 

Franks family

The film opens with Ruby (played by Emilia Jones) helping her father, Frank (played by Troy Kotsur), and her mother, Jackie (played by Marlee Matlin), run their fishing business in a small town in Massachusetts. As the only hearing member of the family, Ruby serves as their interpreter, bridging the communication gap between her family and the hearing world. Ruby's life revolves around her family, and she feels torn between her desire to help them and her dream of becoming a singer.

Ruby

When Ruby joins her high school choir, she discovers a passion for singing that she never knew she had. Her choir teacher, Bernardo (played by Eugenio Derbez), recognizes her talent and encourages her to pursue her dream of attending a music school. However, Ruby faces a dilemma: if she leaves home to pursue her dream, she will be abandoning her family, who depend on her to run their business and communicate with the hearing world.she faces obstacles both within and outside of her family. She struggles to communicate with the other members of her choir, who are all hearing and don't understand her family's culture. She also has to deal with the criticism of her classmate and crush, Miles (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo), who thinks that her desire to pursue music is just a phase. 

Frank and Jackie

The film is a powerful exploration of the challenges faced by deaf families and the unique role that hearing children play in bridging the communication gap between the deaf and hearing worlds. Ruby's family is portrayed with sensitivity and depth, and the film does an excellent job of exploring the joys and struggles of deaf culture. Matlin and Kotsur deliver exceptional performances, conveying a depth of emotion through sign language that is both beautiful and heartbreaking.

Emilia Jones's performance is a standout in the film, as she portrays Ruby with depth, sensitivity, and authenticity. Her portrayal of Ruby's journey of self-discovery and her struggles to balance her passion for music with her responsibilities to her family are both compelling and nuanced. Jones's powerful and emotive singing voice adds to the film's emotional impact, making her portrayal of Ruby a standout performance in the film.

The film's central theme is the power of music to connect people across cultural and linguistic divides. It also explores themes of identity, family. Ruby's passion for singing allows her to connect with her deaf family in new ways, as they learn to appreciate and understand her love for music. Her choir teacher, Bernardo, also plays a crucial role in her journey, serving as a mentor and guide as she navigates the complexities of pursuing her dreams.

CODA, it’s an original screenplay written and directed by Sian Heder. However, the film's concept was inspired by a 2014 French film called La Famille Bélier, which also explores the dynamics of a hearing child in a deaf family. Sian Heder saw the film and was inspired to write CODA, which expands on the themes and explores them in a new and unique way. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2021 and was acquired by Apple for distribution.

The film CODA is set in a small fishing town in Gloucester, Massachusetts, which is located in the northeastern part of the United States. The town is situated on Cape Ann, a peninsula that juts out into the Atlantic Ocean. The film does an excellent job of capturing the charm and character of this quintessential New England town, with its picturesque harbor, fishing boats, and colorful buildings. The setting of the film adds to its overall atmosphere and helps to immerse the audience in the story.

The film CODA is set in modern times, it is clear from the setting and the characters' clothing and technology that it takes place in the present day. The film's themes, such as the importance of American Sign Language and the need for greater inclusion and representation of deaf culture, are very much relevant to contemporary society. The film's modern setting also helps to make its message more accessible and relatable to a wide range of audiences.

On balance CODA its  a rare film that is both entertaining and thought-provoking, with a message that will resonate with audiences of all ages. With its strong performances, beautiful music, and touching story, CODA is a must-see film that will leave a lasting impression.If you haven't seen this movie yet, then do yourself a favor and watch it. You won't be disappointed

Reviewed by

Mores Murimi

CEO Tripple M Films

https://youtu.be/JWaRkopOIDs