Adapting the French film La Famille Bélier into Coda, writer/director Sian Heder
presents a coming of age story with pathos. It’s also one of the best films of the year.
Ruby Rossi (an excellent Emilia Jones) is the only hearing member of a deaf family whose livelihood depends on their fishing boat. She also attends high school, and when a music teacher recognizes her singing talent with the possibilities of a music scholarship, Ruby is torn between helpingin no ok in in her family as their sign language interpreter and her own future and happiness. As the family business reaches a crucial stage and her audition approaches, she finds redemption among her circle of support.
The film’s main theme is about the hard choices and sacrifices in life, and how one’s family is integral in those decisions. It realistically shows Ruby’s fears and guilt in relation to her familial responsibilities. Teen life is realistically presented amid the peer pressure and bullying from fellow students. There are touching moments that ring true especially in her relationship with a male student, her singing audition, and the simple act of hand signing a song for her deaf father. It also shows the good in people, and how a family and community come together.
It’s remarkable that in a non-foreign language film that much of the dialogue is in subtitles. For the viewer, this really establishes perspective and empathy as we ‘see’ the world through her family’s point of view. Further, her parents are effectively portrayed by real, deaf actors, Marlee Matlin and Troy Kotsur.
A low budget, independent production that shows a lot of compassion and even moments of humor, there is not a false note in a film whose heart is in the right place.
**** of **** stars
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