CODA 2021
CODA got very good reviews and a lot of Oscar nominations, but I am only watching it now, the week before the Oscars are awarded, the ninth of ten Best Picture nominees I have seen this year (Drive My Car being the only one I missed). I have to say it starts out a little slowly, establishing a deaf family of fishermen in Gloucester, Massachusetts, except for their daughter who is hearing. The main conflict is a little heavy and simple as the daughter, a senior in high school, has a critical role in interpreting for the family and helping out on the fishing boat while trying to go to school and sing in the choir where there is a boy she would like to date. Some problems seem a little artificial maybe (which I will write about in the spoilers, but be warned I am giving away the whole movie), but there is some good writing at work and it is fun seeing this girl try so hard to keep so many balls up in the air. There are some nice songs and Emilia Jones has a good voice. The main performances are good by her parents and brother who are real life deaf actors, as well as the choir teacher. The father frequently steals the show, but most of his funny lines are more vulgar than funny. The director does a good job of showing deaf people as regular people, but how not being able to hear can be a serious challenge at times. It is hard not to get sucked in by the situation, the romance, and the heartrending songs. So it is a very nice movie, with good performances, a little slow at first, and maybe lacking in subtlty at times. Given the other nominees, I wouldn’t mind this movie winning Best Picture.
Written: 23 Mar 2022