CODA Sundance Movie Review: The Crowd Pleaser We All Need

 

Just a couple weeks ago, I was very fortunate enough to secure tickets to a few screenings for this year's Sundance Festival which was obviously held virtually this year due to the ongoing pandemic. Amongst those screenings was the new film from director Sian Heder  CODA, which I caught on the very last day of Sundance, but the film had already made a huge splash the week prior when it first opened the festival so my expectations had sky rocketed to say the least. 

And I am so beyond thrilled to say that CODA absolutely lives up to all of its praise and more, because this is a truly magnificent film that while on its surface it may seem like a conventional coming of age story, it is so much more. And with a story this heart warming, and inspiring, it was impossible for me not to fall head over heels for this one. It's a crowd pleaser in every sense, and the absolute best kind. 

CODA follows 17 year old Ruby (Emilia Jones) who lives in Gloucester, Massachusetts with her culturally Deaf family where they run a fishing business. Ruby happens to be the only hearing member of her family which makes her a huge support system for both of her deaf parents (Troy Kotsur and Marlee Matlin) and older brother (Daniel Durant). At her high school, Ruby soon joins the choir job where she grows close to her partner (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo), and discovers her own passion for singing. She eventually impresses her music teacher (Eugenio Derbez) who encourages her to purse her dreams. 

Emilia Jones is nothing short of a revelation here and gives such a star making performance. She not only has to carry much of this film on her shoulders, but also proves to have one hell of a beautiful singing voice as well. She goes through many different ranges of emotions, and it is so easy to connect with her performance, I can't wait to see more of her following this. With such an important story that gives so much needed representation to the deaf community, I'm so happy that this film nailed the castings of real life deaf actors such as Marlee Matlin, Troy Kotsur, and Daniel Durant as Jones's family. Each one of them are so excellent, and contribute so much to the success of this film, Matlin in particular just about moved me to tears more than once. The chemistry between these four is palpable, they really feel like a real family.  Eugenio Derbez is also another huge standout here as Jones's teacher, he gets to display the great comedic talents we've already seen, but also show his softer dramatic side that really impressed me. Both Ferdia Walsh-Peelo, and Amy Forsyth are great here too in the love interest and best friend roles respectively, it's especially nice to see Walsh-Peelo in another notable role after his breakout in the wonderful Sing Street.

This is a poignant coming of age film ultimately about discovering yourself and fulfilling your own dreams, but at the heart of it is just as much an immensely heartfelt family drama that also provides many great laughs. I don't know what it is, but I am most certainly a sucker for these kind of stories, especially when you add in a beautiful soundtrack as this film does. It may not escape certain expected tropes, but that's okay, because I ultimately fell in love with these characters and I was cheering them on all the way through. One moment I'll be laughing so hard it hurts, the next I'll be struggling to hold back the tears. Director Sian Heder is most certainly one to keep a lookout for, she brings a refreshing vision to this story and clearly has very apparent passion for it. This story is very grounded and the characters feel like genuinely real people whom are so easy to sympathize with. With a heart this big, I was just so easily swept by it all. 

If I had to pin point any real issues with CODA, I'm honestly struggling to find much. As I've said, the film isn't without some tropes, and it's maybe easy to pick apart some of those cliches if you look at it through cynical eyes. But I certainly won't do that, because for me, when it comes to cliches in films what matters most is the destination. And with CODA, I immensely fell in love with that destination and the heartwarming journey it took me on. I do wish some of the supporting cast, particularly Walsh Peelo's and Forsyth's characters were fleshed out a little more, but both great performers make the absolute best with what they have. 

CODA is simply one of those very special films that once it ended, I immediately wanted to rush and recommend to every single person I know because I honestly think it'll take a pretty cynical person to at least not enjoy. Unfortunately, its current release date is unknown, but the great news is that AppleTV+ has already picked it up and the assumption is will release it sometime this year. Regardless of when they do, they for sure have a huge hit on their hands, an unforgettable crowd pleaser that delights in charms and overwhelms in many different emotions. I will continue to rave and cherish this wonderful gem all year, as even though it's only February, I can't imagine it not securing an easy spot in my Top 10 for 2021 when the year is over. And I can't wait until the rest of the world gets to cherish it too! 

And oh boy, do I need that soundtrack like right now! 

Final Letter Grade: A