CODA

CODA is this special little film about a family of four, of which only one who isn't born deaf. Ruby (Emilia Jones) is her name and we follow this main character through her small town life juggling between school and helping out her family of fishermen. In her own words, she's average in studies but it is later we find out through the 'Happy Birthday' song she sings in solitary, that she is a beautifully gifted singer!

On paper yes, you could say the plot is typical. It follows the exact same beat tropes we've seen a million times in dramedies as such. In fact, Act I of the picture is by far its weakest. We see Ruby made fun of at school due to the nature and profession of her family. What hurts her even more is the fact that her family doesn't know anything about this. They do not realize how noisy they can be or how embarrassing would any of their unnatural actions would be for Ruby, especially in front of her schoolmates. Loud sex at home is a fantastic scene example. Furthermore, Ruby is expected by her family to participate in activities that they could all do together. During this first portion of the show, we are not shown what is Ruby's Want, in other words, her passion for singing. It was only suggested that she joins the choir practice because her crush does.

But once the story and characters are set up, particularly after the introduction of the eccentric yet absolutely loving mentor character Mr. V (Eugenio Derbez), before you know it, you'll have been reeled into an experience you wouldn't wanna part with! The scenes with constant tug of war for the protagonist on what she wants to do and what she has to do form one of the strongest Act IIs in recent memory. Ruby's juggle and struggle through trying to balance family obligations and personal interest has been written, performed and edited too damn well! You feel exactly how she is feeling. You are in her head and heart one-hundred-percent! Its simplicity coupled with its earnestness, the original characters and their performances pack a solid punch combo!

The entire third act of CODA will make you weep your eyes out! From the heartbreaking fact that Ruby's parents have no way of knowing how talented their own child is, the instigation her father receives by watching the audience members enjoying his daughter's voice that he personally unable to, the request the father makes to Ruby to sing for him as he places his hands on her throat as she sings to Ruby singing in her audition using sign language so that her family could finally 'get' her as the resolution carries itself out with her song as the backdrop, these are superlatively miraculous sequences that will send you crying non-stop, in a corner of your room, in fetus position.

Even the subplots revolving Ruby's family, especially her brother are impactful on its own and the way it impacts the main plot. The way he tells Ruby that the family has been doing fine before she was born are truly heavy, really. Ruby's conversation on bed with her mother is touching. Mr. Rossi (Troy Kotsur) speaking for the first time during the board meeting with Ruby translating, their financial situation that leads them to start their own business which in turn forces them to work with the talking community and the whole brilliant episode of marine police background pursuit plus license termination are truly remarkable. Ruby's romance plot with the first duet singing practice, the misunderstanding in the middle and the skinny-dipping adventure which prompts her first kiss is sweet too!

Marius de Vries' score is sweet and the sound mixing between diegetic and non-diegetic pieces are truly well done. Troy Kotsur's performance, in particularly the way he uses his sign language with razor sharp and explicit expressions is hilarious!