CODA (2021)

The critic finds CODA a radiant, deeply satisfying heartwarmer that embraces its formula with pleasure and pureness. They single out the performances, particularly Emilia Jones, and the director's delicate handling of familiar tropes for praise.

The critic hails a revelatory performance from Emilia Jones as the hearing daughter in a deaf family, noting the film’s vivid sense of place and authentic casting of deaf actors that adds layers absent from the French original. It praises the exploration of the family’s world and the emotional depth in sign-language arguments.

It is a crowd-pleaser that works its formula well while breaking new ground with its deaf family characters. The star-making turn from Emilia Jones anchors the familiar coming-of-age tale.

Heder’s smartly judged crowd-pleaser distinguishes familiar coming-of-age conventions with salty wit and feeling, led by an appealingly awkward Emilia Jones performance that earns its emotional climax. The deaf actors deliver warm, ribald work as the loving parents.

Despite piling on crises and contrivances, the film moves viewers with its emotional beats and standout cast of deaf actors. It offers an original perspective on coming-of-age through the CODA experience, excelling in subtle details rather than melodrama.

CODA is an occasionally corny but very effective family dramedy that shines in its portrayal of the Rossi family's dynamics. The scene where Frank feels Ruby's singing vibrations is highlighted as a knockout.

The critic finds the film two parts raw and real, one part manipulative, with engaging characters and real emotions in a hackneyed narrative arc. They single out the textured, vibrant family dynamics and Emilia Jones's terrific performance for praise.

The critic finds this Massachusetts-set remake a bit better than the French original thanks to smart casting of deaf actors in deaf roles, delivering a nuanced study of growing up as a CODA in a working-class fishing family. It praises the director’s adroit handling of family dynamics and bureaucracy subplots alongside the protagonist’s singing talent.

Heder is adept at establishing the emotional bonds in the close-knit Deaf family, making the familiar coming-of-age conventions work. The seamless integration of spoken English and subtitled ASL highlights the family’s vibrant dynamics and raises the stakes for Ruby’s choices.

The Sundance review describes a charming, crowd-pleasing coming-of-age story about a CODA balancing her singing ambitions against family responsibilities. It praises the nuanced family dynamics and Heder’s affection for the characters while noting some contrivances and sentimentality.

The critic calls the film a manipulative but warmly crowd-pleasing coming-of-ager whose good vibes come from its lovable deaf family at the centre. Heder avoids turning it into an issues movie but ends up soft-pedalling the challenges of ableism.

The critic finds it warm, fuzzy and feelgood but a little formulaic, a crowd-pleaser that braids a coming-of-age tale with timely representation of the deaf community by casting deaf actors in those roles. It praises Emilia Jones’s sincere, note-perfect lead performance and grounded musical moments while noting the story still filters deaf experiences through its hearing protagonist.

The film’s openhearted embrace of deaf culture elevates an otherwise conventional tale of a talented teenager caught between ambition and loyalty. Ruby is the lone hearing member of her rambunctious family and must balance interpreting for them with her desire to sing.

The review finds the Sundance breakout warmhearted and likeable with real heart for the deaf community but short on surprises and falling short of comparable festival hits. It singles out the soundless perspective sequences and the expressiveness of sign language for praise.

The film edges into the saccharine with its inspirational formula and banal sermonizing, shortchanging textured moments. It is most moving in capturing bonding rituals among the deaf family.

The critic calls it well-intentioned but too cute and sitcom-like, making every easy choice and obsessing over raunchy family gags instead of taking risks like Sound of Metal. It praises the authentic casting of deaf actors and one strong sibling scene but criticizes the focus on the hearing daughter’s journey and the film’s tourism-like approach to ASL culture.

The critic finds CODA a beautiful, nuanced and complex tale buoyed by delicate and deft performances that is universally relatable despite its specific setting. She singles out the exceptional cast, especially Emilia Jones, for bringing nuance and emotional depth.

The critic calls CODA a must-see coming-of-age crowd-pleaser brimming with soul that uses familiar tropes to deliver something unique and profound. She singles out the exceptional lead performance by Emilia Jones and the strong family chemistry for praise.

Coda approaches familiar coming-of-age beats with earnestness and raw authenticity, balancing irreverence with hard dramatic moments while respectfully portraying the deaf community. Jones gives a phenomenal breakout performance and Kotsur stands out as the brash, randy father.

The critic finds CODA authentic, sensitive, and playful, remaining human even as it tugs at the heartstrings while exploring Deaf family life and hard choices. She singles out the fearlessness of prolonged ASL dialogue scenes and the absorbing physicality of the performances.

The critic calls the film a breath of fresh air and a real crowd-pleaser with breakout potential. He singles out the authentic casting of deaf actors and the effective use of silence in key scenes.

Heder’s screenplay relies on familiar beats but her writing and direction show compassion and a desire to understand each character’s feelings. The film is a little cheesy but poignant, with strong ensemble chemistry and real emotional truths about family and pursuing dreams.

The critic describes the film as modest but thoroughly satisfying, corny but effective, and always likable. He singles out its landmark authentic portrayal of deaf characters played by deaf actors with eloquent ASL performances.