CODA 2021
IMDb Ratings: 8.0/10
Genres: Drama, Music
Language: English + (Hindi/Subtitles)
Release Year: 2021
Director: Sian Heder
Stars Cast: Emilia Jones, Troy Kotsur, Daniel Durant
Director: Sian Heder
Stars Cast: Emilia Jones, Troy Kotsur, Daniel Durant
CODA Screenshots
CODA Review
Greetings again in the dark. Ruby Rossi is a high school student. He is also CODA - Child of the Deaf. Her older brother is also deaf, meaning Ruby's life was spent interpreting for her family, while working on a family fishing boat in Gloucester, Massachusetts, where they were treated as outcasts and considered by some to be strange. Ruby also loves to sing and listen to music, activities she can share with her family. This is not a story to come, as Ruby has long been smarter than her years. However, it is the story of a young person who finds real identity and breaks off a relationship that includes the only life he has ever known.
Emilia Jones (HIGH-RISE, 2015) stars as Ruby, and we first see a fish slinging in a boat with her father Frank (Troy Kutsor) and her brother Leo (newly arrived Daniel Durant). Ruby ties the songs while the two men carry out their duties, unaware of the lovely songs that fill the air. At home, the dinner table discussion is hosted in ASL (American Sign Language) with mom / wife Jackie (Oscar winner Marlee Matlin, CHILDREN OF THE LITTLE GOD, 1986) lead.
At school, Ruby is a victim of her clothes, the smell of fish, and her "strange" family. By silently singing to Miles (Ferdio Walsh-Peelo from SING STREET, 2016), Ruby registers for the choir, but has been frozen during the interview. The choir director, Bernardo (roll the r's) Villalobos, is played with enthusiasm and color by Eugenio Derbez (OVERBOARD, 2018), and gives encouragement to Ruby - especially because she has a beautiful singing voice. Bernardo explains how his singing voice paved the way for college, something he had never considered before because of family responsibilities.
There is a lot going on in this film from lead author Sian Heder (TALLULAH, 2016). Apparently it was taken from the 2014 French film LA FAMILLE BELIER, and it starred in a lot of fun, when it would have been a deep indie film. Ms. Heder refers to a wide range of viewers, although there are features that we wish could be explored. Adolescent love is not really clickable, and there is a suggestion that Bernardo's story has more levels than we find. However, the flexibility of the Rossi family is something to look out for. Father Frank put his feelings in his sleeve. Sometimes those feelings are angry and bitter, while sometimes they are funny or noisy (to his wife). Brother Leo is eager to lead the family business in prosperity. He has ideas for growth, but is frustrated to rely on Ruby as a path to society.
Mother Jackie and Ruby have a normal daughter-in-law relationship. The mother wants the present situation where the daughter remains an integral part of the family, while the daughter wants her mother to acknowledge the dreams of a different life - one that develops her skills. When Jackie asks her daughter about her singing, she does so in the most destructive way possible (clever writing). And yet, when mom tells about Ruby's birth, love is as clear as a breakup ... and it may bring tears or two. Filmmaker Hader offers many powerful scenes, but two really stood out from the audience. First, when Ruby sings on stage, we “hear” what the parents are feeling, and their pride is obvious. The second thing happened when Dad asked Ruby to sing for him as they sat in the back of the car. Kutsor's performance is excellent, and also clarifies the lifelong commitment of a father and daughter ... and for the first time he fully understands his talent. All four of them provided solid performances, and it was a great play from Ms. Jones (think young Saoirse Ronan).
Apple has paid a $ 25 million record for film rights to Sundance, and the common complaint of this family drama sprinkled with humor and health messages is irrefutable. So while my choice would have focused more on the 'external' aspect of the Rossi family in society, it is easy to see why this choice was made. An exciting film that could make it into many of the end of the year series "Best". Maybe mine too.
Broadcast on AppleTV + August 13, 2021.
Emilia Jones (HIGH-RISE, 2015) stars as Ruby, and we first see a fish slinging in a boat with her father Frank (Troy Kutsor) and her brother Leo (newly arrived Daniel Durant). Ruby ties the songs while the two men carry out their duties, unaware of the lovely songs that fill the air. At home, the dinner table discussion is hosted in ASL (American Sign Language) with mom / wife Jackie (Oscar winner Marlee Matlin, CHILDREN OF THE LITTLE GOD, 1986) lead.
At school, Ruby is a victim of her clothes, the smell of fish, and her "strange" family. By silently singing to Miles (Ferdio Walsh-Peelo from SING STREET, 2016), Ruby registers for the choir, but has been frozen during the interview. The choir director, Bernardo (roll the r's) Villalobos, is played with enthusiasm and color by Eugenio Derbez (OVERBOARD, 2018), and gives encouragement to Ruby - especially because she has a beautiful singing voice. Bernardo explains how his singing voice paved the way for college, something he had never considered before because of family responsibilities.
There is a lot going on in this film from lead author Sian Heder (TALLULAH, 2016). Apparently it was taken from the 2014 French film LA FAMILLE BELIER, and it starred in a lot of fun, when it would have been a deep indie film. Ms. Heder refers to a wide range of viewers, although there are features that we wish could be explored. Adolescent love is not really clickable, and there is a suggestion that Bernardo's story has more levels than we find. However, the flexibility of the Rossi family is something to look out for. Father Frank put his feelings in his sleeve. Sometimes those feelings are angry and bitter, while sometimes they are funny or noisy (to his wife). Brother Leo is eager to lead the family business in prosperity. He has ideas for growth, but is frustrated to rely on Ruby as a path to society.
Mother Jackie and Ruby have a normal daughter-in-law relationship. The mother wants the present situation where the daughter remains an integral part of the family, while the daughter wants her mother to acknowledge the dreams of a different life - one that develops her skills. When Jackie asks her daughter about her singing, she does so in the most destructive way possible (clever writing). And yet, when mom tells about Ruby's birth, love is as clear as a breakup ... and it may bring tears or two. Filmmaker Hader offers many powerful scenes, but two really stood out from the audience. First, when Ruby sings on stage, we “hear” what the parents are feeling, and their pride is obvious. The second thing happened when Dad asked Ruby to sing for him as they sat in the back of the car. Kutsor's performance is excellent, and also clarifies the lifelong commitment of a father and daughter ... and for the first time he fully understands his talent. All four of them provided solid performances, and it was a great play from Ms. Jones (think young Saoirse Ronan).
Apple has paid a $ 25 million record for film rights to Sundance, and the common complaint of this family drama sprinkled with humor and health messages is irrefutable. So while my choice would have focused more on the 'external' aspect of the Rossi family in society, it is easy to see why this choice was made. An exciting film that could make it into many of the end of the year series "Best". Maybe mine too.
Broadcast on AppleTV + August 13, 2021.
