CODA (2021) Review

Title: CODA
Year: 2021
Director: Sian Heder
Country: US
Language: English

 CODA was an underdog during the 2022 Academy Awards. Jane Campion's Power of the Dog was nominated for 12 Oscars and Dennis Villeneuve's Dune was nominated for 10. CODA was only nominated for 3, the lowest since 1932's Grand Hotel. To many viewers surprise, including my own, the film won every award it was eligible for, including Best Picture. Was this worthy of such prestige? Lets find out!

As a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults) Ruby is the only hearing person in her deaf family. When the family's fishing business is threatened, Ruby finds herself torn between pursuing her passion and helping her family.

CODA is an important work in cinema because, as a production, it trancends the barriers disabled people face in art. We (I have a heart condition) are underfunded, underrepresented and underemployed. CODA's production sought to include a disabled cast & crew. Their input from ASL coaches transformed the creative process. This film's financial & critical success means a tremendous amount to representation. 

The picture itself is pretty great. Music adding drama to a story about hearing loss is a bit of a trope (see: Sound of Metal) , but I found that the family drama packed an emotional punch, while also being quite humorous. I appreciated the honest depiction of disability, as it didn't seem to be condescending or written from an ablest perspective.

The acting, particularly by Troy Kotsur, is quite impressive. The writing, editing and directing was also in top form. There were more entertaining films that year, but none as important to the industry as CODA.