CODA stands for ‘Child of Deaf Adults.’ It’s a perfect name for Sian Heder’s (Tallulah) feel-good movie of the summer. While, at times, it feels like a sappy Hallmark or Lifetime original, CODA is held together by its protagonist Ruby (Emilia Jones – What We Did on Our Holiday, Two for Joy), a seventeen-year-old high school senior, who is the only non-deaf member in her eccentric, but loving, deaf family.
While CODA is 100% predictable, that doesn’t mean its cookie-cutter recipe isn’t tender, heartfelt, or smooth. It becomes effortless and natural to be swept up by the distinctive, complex, close-knit family of four that includes Ruby, her mother Jackie (Marlee Matlin – Children of a Lesser God, The Player), father Frank (Troy Kotsur), and brother Leo (Daniel Durant).
Set against the backdrop of a small Massachusetts fishing town, Ruby serves as the interpreter for Jackie, Frank, and Leo. The raucous, hardworking father, son, and daughter trio spend the early hours of the day towing in the haul of fresh fish for the day before Ruby spends the rest of the day completing her final year of high school. Jackie, Frank, and Leo rely on her to be the translator and mediator between them and anything that happens outside of their rickety little property, a home that, while tiny and decaying, is full of love, quarreling, and somewhat crude family humor.
Much to their chagrin, Ruby decides to join the school choir. Jackie seems particularly betrayed by her daughter’s decision to pursue something the rest of the family can’t enjoy. Jackie says to Ruby matter-of-factly, “If I was blind, would you want to paint?” In a coming-of-age moment, Ruby shares with her family her desire to leave their little fish town and chase her dreams of being something more than the family translator. Caught between her family’s persistence that they need her to survey and the opportunities afforded to her as a soon-to-be high school graduate, Ruby is forced to make a decision that will either pain her family or derail her hope for something more. In her corner is her music teacher, Mr. Villalobos (Eugenio Derbez – Geostorm, Instructions Not Included), who sees her talent and encourages her to follow her aspirations, which, he believes, could include a full scholarship to the Berklee College of Music (his alma mater).
It is all very formulaic in this coming-of-age story. It is often cheesy. But when it is good, it hits on all cylinders. She often finds Most of that intolerable because of Ruby’s loving relationship with the family. While Ruby is our hero, the movie isn’t solely about her. It’s as much about Jackie, Frank, Leo, Mr. Villalobos, and Miles’s singing partner/boyfriend. It’s about each character trying to do what they can to get the most out of this life. While very much a drama, CODA isn’t super heavy. There is some good humor along the way. It’s not enough to categorize CODA as a comedy, but it makes it feel lighthearted, whereas it could have been wrought with tension and seriousness in the hands of another.
Plot 7/10
Character Development 8/10
Character Chemistry 10/10
Acting 8/10
Screenplay 6/10
Directing 7/10
Cinematography 7/10
Sound 10/10
Hook and Reel 8/10
Universal Relevance 9/10
80%
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