A One Mann’s Movies review of “Coda” (2021).
“Coda” is another Oscar-catch-up movie for me. I’d heard a lot of positive noise about this one, but the one thing that stopped me watching this earlier was that it was on Apple+. And frankly, I just don’t need yet another streaming platform in my life! But an offer of a free trial came along, (via my TV’s LG Content Store), so I grabbed it.
And I’m really glad I did. “Coda” is a movie masterpiece, and it has rocketed into my list for consideration as my film of the year (even though I appreciate it was released last year and I’m late to this game).
Bob the Movie Man Rating:
(Yeah, I know. In my very last review I commented that “I don’t chuck out 5* ratings willy-nilly” and here I am giving two in a row. In fact 3 of my last 4 reviews have been 5*. I guess that’s just a peril of the job pre-Oscars. Bear with me!).
Plot Summary:
Ruby Rossi (Emilia Jones) is a 17 year-old with a difficult life. Struggling to balance early morning trawler trips and her school work is hard enough. But she is also the only hearing person in her family and is therefore a full-time signer for her father Frank (Troy Kotsur), mother Jackie (Marlee Matlin) and brother Leo (Daniel Durant).
When trying to get closer to a boy – Miles (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo) – the shy and retiring Ruby signs up for the school choir, led by the flamboyant Bernardo Villalobos (Eugenio Derbez). Ruby has never had any feedback on her singing. But Bernardo recognises something truly special.
Certification:
Talent:
Starring: Emilia Jones, Troy Kotsur, Marlee Matlin, Daniel Durant, Ferdia Walsh-Peelo, Eugenio Derbez.
Directed by: Siân Heder.
Written by: Siân Heder. (Based on the script of the film “La Famille Belier” by Victoria Bedos, Stanislas Carré de Malberg, Éric Lartigau and Thomas Bidegain).
Twitter Handle: #Coda_Movie.
“Coda” Review:
Positives:
- Wowzer. What a movie. It’s a film that works on so many different levels: as a comedy; as a drama; as a love story; and above all as a telling insight into the struggles of deaf people in a hearing world. And it miraculously does this all at the same time. It’s like “Sound of Metal“, “Pitch Perfect“, “Fame”, “Mean Girls”, “Fisherman’s Friends” and a high school romance flick have all been rolled into one. It shouldn’t work. But it bloody well does!
- It won the Screen Actors (sic) Guild “Ensemble Cast” award, and deservedly so. The cast all work superbly together, with half a dozen stunning performances. Getting all the kudos is Troy Kotser as the father (and I wouldn’t bet against his Oscar win for this). But it is London-born Emilia Jones that I found particularly captivating. She spent 9 months learning sign-language, and (as far as I know) got it down to a ‘T’. Her acting is spectacular and she sings like an angel: with Aled Jones as her Dad, this might only to be expected. She is definitely on my “one to watch” list and it’s a shame she didn’t make the BAFTA Rising Star list for this year. Maybe next time.
- I seldom get moved to actual tears by a movie. (OK, the end of E.T., sure… who doesn’t?). But for an audition scene in the finale of this movie, I was in BITS. It was just so touching, warm and insightful in so many ways. I came very close (in a scene where she sings to her father)… but this pushed me right over the edge.
- I mentioned “comedy” above, and it really is. The interactions between the family (mostly through sub-titled sign language) are hilarious, and had me snorting with laughter multiple times.
Negatives:
- My only criticism might be that (no spoilers) the ending is perhaps a little bit too sacharine (in regards to how Frank, Jackie and Leo are portrayed moving forwards). But it’s a very minor niggle at best.
Summary Thoughts on “Coda”
“Coda” absolutely stormed the awards at the Sundance Film Festival when it was first shown and I can now see why. It’s a phenomenal piece of work. And I have a sneaking suspicion that, despite the current betting odds, this might be a dark horse at the upcoming major awards. At the Oscars it’s nominated for “Best Picture”, “Best Supporting Actor” (Troy Kotsur) and “Best Adapted Screenplay”. And at the BAFTAs, it missed out on “Best Film” (shame!) but did get a Best Actress nomination for Emilia Jones (hooray!).
After the Sundance record-breaking awards showing there was a fierce bidding war between the streaming giants for the worldwide rights, with Apple paying a record-breaking $25 million for them. This has no doubt limited its audience reach. But trust me. This is one that you should beg, steal or borrow* an Apple+ userid to get to watch this.
(* Nobody actually pays for this subscription do they, unless they forget to cancel their free trial??!)
Trailer for “Coda”
The trailer is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pmfrE1YL4I .
