logo

CODA

Drama

RatingRatingRatingRatingRating4.7

DirectorSian Heder

ProducerPhilippe Rousselet, Fabrice Gianfermi, Patrick Wachsberger, Jérôme Seydoux

ScreenwriterSian Heder

DistributorApple TV+

Release Date DateAug 13, 2021, Limited

LanguageEnglish

Runtime1h 51m

Introduction

Seventeen-year-old Ruby (Emilia Jones) is the sole hearing member of a deaf family -- a CODA, child of deaf adults. Her life revolves around acting as interpreter for her parents (Marlee Matlin, Troy Kotsur) and working on the family's struggling fishing boat every day before school with her father and older brother (Daniel Durant). But when Ruby joins her high school's choir club, she discovers a gift for singing and soon finds herself drawn to her duet partner Miles (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo). Encouraged by her enthusiastic, tough-love choirmaster (Eugenio Derbez) to apply to a prestigious music school, Ruby finds herself torn between the obligations she feels to her family and the pursuit of her own dreams.

Critics Reviews

Deborah Ross4.6

448

Mar 31, 2022
CODA presents itself as a heartwarming yet predictable tale. It follows Ruby, the only hearing member of her deaf family, as she navigates the challenges of supporting her family’s fishing business and exploring her newfound gift for singing. The film delivers typical emotional beats with its tearjerker moments, especially through Ruby's struggles and aspirations. The story isn’t groundbreaking, but if you enjoy sentimental, feel-good movies, CODA will resonate with you. It’s a middle-of-the-road drama that charms with earnest performances, even if it doesn’t stray from the conventional narrative path.

Richard Brody3.5

475

Feb 24, 2022
CODA's predictable narrative leaves little room for authenticity, making Ruby's journey feel overly scripted and formulaic. While the film attempts to tug at the heartstrings with its portrayal of a musically talented teen torn between familial duties and personal aspirations, the sense of calculation overshadows genuine emotion. The portrayal of Ruby’s struggle feels more like a checklist of dramatic tropes rather than an organic unfolding of her life. Despite strong performances from the cast, the movie's predetermined path detracts from the emotional impact it seeks to deliver. The intended feel-good moments ultimately come across as contrived and insincere.
CODA
94%