A beautiful film with plenty of powerful punches to bowl you over. Can fear and anxiety stop you from achieving your dreams?
“Let them figure out how to deal with deaf people” is a powerful message to take from this film, and it couldn’t be any easier to understand than that. CODA is the second mainstream film to come out this year focusing on a deaf community (a family on this occasion) after the brilliant Sound of Metal, but CODA really is just as good. These two films specifically are so meaningful because they revolve around music, it makes them that much more powerful and with incredible meaning. If CODA doesn’t make you well up, then you have a heart of stone, okay?
CODA (which stands for Child of Deaf Adults) revolves around a girl called Ruby (Emilia Jones), an able hearing teenager who lives with her deaf parents and deaf older brother. She must juggle working on her dads fishing boat – acting as an interpreter for him as well – and her dream of being a singer, something quite ironic as her family have no idea how good she really is.
This American comedy-drama directed by Sian Heder (known for Tallulah) is an English language remake of French film La Famille Bélier by Éric Lartiga, a film which wasn’t well received because it used able hearing people for the lead roles (not exactly the smartest choice in the world was it). However, CODA rectified this by casting deaf actors; a superb decision considering they were brilliant in their roles, which is a huge step towards acknowledging the deaf communities acting skills.
All the acting was superb really; all four members of the Rossi family were special; we have Troy Kotsur as Frank Rossi, Daniel Durant as Leo Rossi, Marlee Martin (known for Children of a Lesser God) as Jackie Rossi. On top of that is the fabulous supporting duo, consisting of the very eccentric but extremely caring teacher, Mr Villalobos (Eugenio Derbez) and Ruby’s awkward love interest Miles (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo). They all weave in and out to support Ruby so well, allowing her to emotionally bounce off each of them in so many ways.
CODA begins by introducing us to the Rossi’s who live in Gloucester, Massachusetts and run a struggling fishing business – barely scraping by. Ruby is the only able hearing person in her family and helps them fish and interprets for them (a general dog’s body to be fair) when she isn’t in school. The family struggle to sell their fish for a good price – often being short-changed by the ruthless fishing industry – Ruby’s dad Frank is scared to confront the hierarchy, leaving the negotiating to Ruby.
Ruby joins the choir – to her parent’s surprise – where she hopes to strengthen her passion for singing (she can really sing as well, being Aled Jones’ daughter will give you that gift) as well as developing a crush for her future singing partner Miles – a typical awkward teenage crush. The choir and the lure of a possible scholarship could be her ticket out of this town and towards greatness, like Mr. V says, “You don’t sound like sand and glue” a great compliment and reference to Bob Dylan vocal talents.
Ruby’s parents are hilarious though; very aloof and carefree, especially when their signing about safe sex to Ruby and her friend – a very visual representation indeed. However, with financial troubles beginning to take a tole, the fun is quickly forgotten. Ruby’s parents force her to work on the boat to help them, she must also forget about her dream of singing for now. Are her parents selfish in wanting her to stay with them or is it because they are so unaware of Ruby’s incredible talent, it makes them ignorant to the situation. The truth always rises though, and with a little push from Mr. V, will she make the correct decision?
The writing is very powerful and emotional at times – which comes across in the exchanges – it really is trying to send a specific message about the perception of deaf people. The sound editing was also impactful, like Sound of Metal again as the silence fades in an out as Ruby sings, creating a great sadness for her family as they cannot enjoy her gift like everyone else can.
A truly beautiful film that will have you laughing and crying (I hope it isn’t just me) with a very powerful message shining through, about how you can conquer any problem with the right support and a loving family. Underneath all that laughter you realize it is a film about anxiety, self-confidence, and being scared; scared of losing your loved ones so easily.
There is something magical about films highlighting deafness as a gift instead of a hinderance, specifically targeted towards ignorance and a lack of knowledge about the subject. Of course, deaf people do miss so much, but they also see the world from a totally unique perspective which is beautiful and eye opening. I loved this film for several reasons: the acting, the writing, the humour, the subliminal messages, were all brilliant – it was also so authentically heart-warming – I was surprised with how good it really was. Also, all you Joni Mitchell fans out there are in for a special treat.
CODA is available to watch on Apple TV, now.
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