Coda is a movie I want to hug… and a movie I wanted to go on for another hour, get a sequel, or binge watch a season of. I really engaged and connected with this film and its multiple ideas and its warm heart. I didn’t even know it was coming out and Apple is doing a terrible job marketing it (if at all). I only heard about it from reviews popping up… and actually watched the wrong Coda immediately before this one by accident… so a Coda double-feature. This was the much better flick.

Coda is about a hearing daughter of deaf parents (and she has an older brother, also deaf). They operate a fishing boat in a small Massachusetts town with the girl, Ruby, acting as the family’s go-between with the hearing world. She is also bullied by mean girls at school which makes it hard for her to sign up for choir because she secretly loves to sing.

This movie is made brighter by the luminous Emilia Jones who just shines throughout this film. And she’s joined by the always solid Marlee Matlin and a couple lesser known (also deaf) actors playing her father and brother. They make a great, believable family… one that’s loving but also sometimes abrasive… and hilarious. Eugenio Derbez downplays his usual schtick as he tries to help Ruby with her music.

Coda loves music and loves to watch its characters discover the songs. It has a real beating heart for what it means to be a singer and Jones is believable in her growth from shy to strong singer. But what I loved most about this movie is that it was equally about the fishing company the family operates, her butting heads with her brother, and a number of other subplots that really fleshes out this sweet yet grounded film.

And, yes, I wanted to hug the movie. There’s a scene between father and daughter that started the tears – one hell of an honest and earnest scene that just made this movie. And then they kept coming as the film came to a close… and I could shout and stomp my feet about obvious plot manipulation but when you feel the actors in your heart, who cares?

This is a pretty great and totally lovely film that I think everyone should try. From the acting to the various plots to the singing, it’s well worth a watch. And I want a sequel. Coda 2… or a tv show!

Score: 91