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Manila Bulletin devider Lifestyle devider Loud and clear

Loud and clear

Published Mar 30, 2022 07:59 am

Through the strong voices of 'CODA,' the deaf is heard in this family dramedy

“I haven’t done anything without my family before.” What happens when a teenager decides to spread her wings and leave her deaf family to fulfill her singing ambitions? Such is the burden of Ruby (Emilia Jones), a 17-year-old high school hearing student whose family depends on her as their spokesperson or interpreter.

"CODA" poster

"CODA," which means child of deaf adults, is based on the original motion picture "La Famille Bélier." The drama running one hour and 51 minutes is quite humorous. There is a “jock itch” medical consultation during which Ruby deliberately misinterprets the sign language to her parents Frank (Troy Kotsur) and Jackie (Marlee Matlin) so they can stop their intimacy. The two are such a cool couple and so in love that weed and wine are their favorite pastime.

What we liked about director-writer Sian Heder is how she handles the details—the banging of utensils, a “loud” setting up the table or the use of silence in dialogue. When Ruby is studying and cannot focus because of her mother’s preparations on the dining table, she puts on earphones. “Take those off,” the mom signs. “It’s rude.” But the stubborn Ruby answers back, “What’s rude is how noisy you guys are!”

Emilia Jones and Marlee Matlin

She has a point as the only “hearing” member of the family. We can feel her burden to be always present to defend her family from critical judgment.

Brother Leo (Daniel Durant) likes swiping Tinder and hunting for dates. It has become a tradition to meddle in Leo’s choices because “Tinder is something we can do as a family,” according to Jackie.

The family has a fishing business. Every 3 a.m., the alarm is set for the family to catch loads of seafood in their vessel. Some days are good, some days are real bad.

Ruby (Emilia Jones) looks disgusted as her parents talk about their medical condition

Ruby is unpopular, goes to school smelling of fish or is often caught dozing off in class that she gets bullied by the popular girls. She decides to join a choir mentored by Bernardo Villalobos (Eugenio Deebez). Finally, she knows what she wants—singing!

What happens when a teenager decides to spread her wings and leave her deaf family to fulfill her singing ambitions?

Ruby also discovers how to be in love when she least expects it when Bernardo sets her up to sing a duet with good-looking schoolmate, Miles (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo).

Jackie wants her to stop attending voice lessons, afraid that her daughter would fail. But Ruby takes a stand, she discovers she has a gift and wants to apply for a scholarship at Berklee College of Music.

Frank’s fishing community is also in a turmoil. An observer is now required to monitor and regulate the fishermen. When Ruby declares to her family, “I can’t stay with you for the rest of my life,” the impact is a bit hard for the family. Frank loses his fishing license because Ruby is not with him when the observer tips the authorities that the family maneuvering the vessel is deaf.

The cast of "CODA"

"CODA" makes you want to belong to Ruby’s family—loving, supportive, humorous yet shows their weaknesses. Actress Marlee Matlin is known for her role in Children of a Lesser God (1986). It is so good to see her act onscreen again. Troy Kotsur is making history by being the first deaf actor to win a British Academy Film Award, Screen Actors Guild Award, and Critics’ Choice Award—an Oscar is not far-fetched—for his awesome supporting role in "CODA," which is now streaming on AppleTV+.

There are talks that a stage musical adaptation of this award-winning film is being developed at the moment.

Related Tags

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