CODA is a delightful and heartwarming coming-of-age story that provides insight into the lives of deaf individuals and simultaneously gives them the attention and respect they deserve.
Overall Score: 10/10
Image: Apple TV+
For as long as Hollywood’s been around, we’ve seen countless coming-of-age movies come and go. Unlike those of most other genres, however, the vast majority of these films have themes that continue to endure and resonate with audiences, seemingly free from the effects and constraints of time. Furthermore, each movie sets itself apart by doing something slightly different, bringing something new and refreshing to the table. Famous examples of these works range from the likes of classics such as Little Women and The Breakfast Club to more modern flicks like Boyhood and Moonlight. Yet, despite the abundance of this specific type of film, there’s never been one quite like CODA. And while, yes, the genre — along with others — has seen an ever-increasing amount of on-screen representation, CODA stands out as it puts the spotlight on the deaf community and deaf culture — both of which have been long overlooked by the film industry.
The movie is significant in more ways than one, and even groundbreaking in some regards, because it finally does the deaf community justice. For instance, one of the long-standing problems that deaf people and characters in films have been up against is the fact that they are, unfortunately, often relegated to minor or supporting roles. What CODA does, however, is bring them front and center, giving them the respect and recognition they have long deserved. And while, yes, it may not have been the first film to have done so (it is, after all, a remake of a French film that features a similar premise), it surpasses all others (including the original) by featuring a predominantly deaf cast and allowing deaf actors — no, not hearing actors — to portray deaf characters.
At first glance, CODA may not seem like the kind of movie you’d expect to be wowed by, but through its moving story and its powerful performances, the film manages to succeed and surpass all expectations. The plot revolves around Ruby, a hearing girl and a CODA (which stands for “child of deaf adult”), who tries to balance helping out with her family’s — all of whom are deaf — fishing business and chasing after her newfound singing-related dreams. It’s a feel-good coming-of-age drama that’ll take you on a wonderful journey, full of moments that’ll make you laugh and cry, as Ruby seeks to find herself and her place in the world.
CODA works in large part due to writer-director Sian Heder’s deft and delicate handling of the story. Throughout the film, Heder expertly paints a picture of a family of middle-class fishermen who feel like outcasts in their community due to their disability. Although we see them live and work alongside hearing individuals, they mostly stick to themselves, living in isolation, in a sense, from the rest of the world. Caught in between, however, is Ruby, who never quite feels as if she belongs to either world — deaf or hearing. Here, Heder is able to balance and bring together both realities, all the while carefully exploring the complex dynamics of family, love, and acceptance in such a way that makes the film feel personal, allowing audiences to feel fully immersed and invested in the characters and the story. Both her writing and directing are skillful, giving her the ability to know when to sprinkle in funny and witty dialogue, and when to use silence as a means to evoke strong emotions.
While good directing and writing are key to a successful movie, the one thing that really pulls CODA together is its cast. Everyone does a fantastic job of bringing their characters to life, their individual moments and terrific on-screen chemistry being especially noteworthy. And because — as I mentioned before — the deaf characters are actually played by deaf actors, they come off as real and genuine, and not as if hearing actors were pretending to be deaf. The performances from Troy Kotsur, Marlee Matlin, and Daniel Durant are, simply put, brilliant, memorable, and so full of raw emotion. But, perhaps the most challenging and impressive performance the film offers is that of Emilia Jones (Ruby herself). The amount of time and dedication — she amazingly spent nine whole months studying American Sign Language (ASL) — put into her role can be seen all throughout CODA. She’s able to wow us with her singing and her ability to switch seamlessly between spoken English and ASL, yet she’s fittingly quiet and awkward when the moment calls for it. It seems unfair, illegal, even, that she wasn’t nominated for an Oscar.
At the end of the day, there really isn’t anything other than positive things to say about CODA. At its core, it’s a film about family, and it centers around a kind that is rarely seen on-screen. Despite that, its story and its characters are extremely relatable, and they are brought to life by a brilliant cast, showcasing just how talented deaf actors really are. Moreover, CODA’s one of those movies that’ll put a big smile on your face as you discover that you’ve fallen in love with it, and it’s one that’s extremely deserving of the multiple accolades it’s won, including but not limited to Best Supporting Actor (awarded to Kotsur) and Best Picture at the Oscars. But, more importantly, it’s a film that should be watched by everyone, regardless of your background. And perhaps, through CODA, you will develop newfound respect and appreciation for the beautiful and often unsung deaf community.
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