Is this movie good or is it just being praised for “diversity”
And “representation”?
shareYes.
share
MovieChat Forums > CODA (2021) Discussion > Is this movie good or is it just being p...
The movie is genuinely good.
shareIt’s a poor movie in my opinion but many people do genuinely love it so I don’t think that representation is why it’s been put on this pedestal.
shareYes it’s good.
It’s a feel good drama/comedy and a great pease.
I did enjoy it very much. Is not groundbreaking but a very enjoyable dramedy to enjoy with your family.
If you like a nice feel good film it’s a 9/10. It will satisfy people who loved The king’s Speech or little miss sunshine. ( though Coda was better than little miss sunshine)
I loved the king’s speech on its day and I still like it very much.
But yes at the end it’s very good but you would hate it if you enjoy better edgier films .
David,
I saw it today, it's a good movie. I don't know what kind of films you like so it would be hard to recommend it but I looked at some of your post history and judging from that, I think you would like it.
it's a good story and has a great ending. However, I think the weakest part of the film is the comedic side. It's not really "that" funny. The jokes were somewhat predictable, which makes the comedy portion of the film less endearing. Where the movie really shines is storytelling and the dramatic scenes, plus the fact that all the lead characters are deaf except for one. This is a rarity in films, so it makes for some interesting situations that you don't see in other movies.
That being said, I liked it but I think the current IMDB rating (which is 8.1/10) is little too high. I'll give it a 6.9 out of 10. Good but not great.
How would you rate the other nominations for best films for 2021 - that you’ve seen?
shareThe only two noms I've seen are CODA and Licorice Pizza. And to be honest, I liked CODA more than LP.
I thought both movies were good though. It just seemed like CODA was a little more original and uplifting while LP has some glaring issues that I just didn't care for. LP is an entertaining movie though.
CODA reminds me of Manchester By The Sea to some degree, just not as dreary as MBTS of course. CODA is a very heartfelt film. I liked it but I could be somewhat bias because I had a relative that went to Berklee College of Music which is the school featured in CODA.
However, I do think the star of the show was Troy Kotsur who plays the lead girl's father, his performance was quite good. For the most part, CODA is a very unique film because of the deaf cast. But that's NOT the only charm this film has. There are some interesting dynamics going on between the ones that can hear as well.
Anyhow, I gave it a 6.9 out of 10. I didn't find it knee slapping funny but without a doubt, the best part is the story itself, which I believe this is why we all watch movies. We want to see good stories...right? lol... at least most of us do.
***EDIT***
Thanks. I was just curious. You know CODA is a remake of a 2014 French movie. La Famille Belier which received several awards. I just wondered how it compared to Power of the Dog. Many ppl who have watched CODA say Power of the Dog was much better.
shareHmmmm.. interesting. I didn't know CODA was a remake. I'd like to see the original and compare the two.
Power of the Dog looks like a good film judging by the trailer. I'm sure I'll watch it eventually. I like westerns, and we don't get that many now days.
I can’t find the French movie to stream. I know that at the time there were problems with the French signing to deaf viewers. Also, I don’t think any of the French cast was hearing impaired whereas the American cast is. Power of the Dog is not a good feeling movie and I am not sure it is the western you are hoping it would be. I will see CODA and maybe come back here. I am trying to see movies back in the theatre as I don’t think watching at home is a very good thing. It’s ruining the movie for me.
shareI dont mind if POTD is a raw look at the old west. Truth is, it really wasn't as glamorous as Hollywood often makes it out to be.
The last western I saw was The Homesman and it is a gruesome story. Its definitely not for the faint of heart. I thought it was a good film though.
I will look at that one. There are not that many westerns that have come out in recent years as it is a fading genre. But at one time, there were so many great ones. My favorite has always been The Searchers, followed by The Big Sky. Open Range wasn’t bad as a recent one. The Revenant was extraordinary. POTD is not actually a western - its time period is 1920s Montana. There are cowboys but in ranching.
shareOh yeah, You're right. It's not about the old west. They call it a western but apparently it's more of a modern day western.
The Homesman is worth watching in my opinion. However, be warned, it is a difficult movie to watch. Its quite brutal.
Well now I am going to watch it more than ever.
shareHaha... yeah it's quite a spin on the genre. It's free on TubiTV right now.
My favorite is Tombstone. It's just such a fun movie to watch.
Letess,
You asked me in a previous post which nominated films I've seen and I saw one more today, which was Drive My Car.
I'm going to have to admit it, I liked DMC more than both CODA and LP.
However, DMC is kind of quirky, I'm not sure if western audiences would like this. I mean, the academy recognized it as a good film, but the average movie-goer would probably have a hard time sitting through it. It's 3 hours long too. So.....
Have you seen it? What did you think of it? I'm going to have to give it a 7.9 out of 10.
I too just saw this movie. What a spectacular REAL movie. And a journey movie. The ending does have hopefulness. But just looking at the small details is what I find so delightful. Having a play where each actor “speaks” his/her own language. I wish I could see that here. The fact that it is in Hiroshima. The beautiful red Saab that is a character of its own. I do wonder - what was Oto going to say to him? The stories Oto told were so fascinating. What will happen to Koji? To be able to come up with this story and getting these great performances is real magic. I don’t think the average American could get past reading the subtitles. I think European and Canadian audiences would definitely like this movie. It is a treasure and a classic.
shareI'm tempted to buy a car like the one in this movie. Such a pretty vehicle.
But yeah, it is a very good movie. I wrote a short review of it on the DMC board. The only thing that turned my off just a bit was the fact that the characters seem like they're reading lines throughout the entire film, which I found to be a little strange, I thought it really hurt the flow of the dialogue but I do think this was done on purpose.
DMC is still a good film, I liked it. It's definitely better than the last Asian film I saw which was Parasite. And believe it or not, some Americans can tolerate subtitles, I would know, because I'm one of them. lol...
The car took my breath away. But I would rack up tickets because it’s red - like I did with my other red sports car. I think this movie was a bit long for me. And I wished I had seen it in the theater when it came out. I am finding that my opinions of liking a movie depend on the venue, and if you stream, it’s just a different type of movie or series (especially binge-worthy ones) that fit better with streaming. But this movie is celebrated at most film festivals. And on Rotten Tomatoes, I think it is close to 100% for Top Critics. I did see Parasite - it was the last movie before Covid theater lockdown. I was surprised it won an Oscar because the Oscar never knows which way to go - do we go popular or do we go critically acclaimed. But the director of Parasite, Bong Joon Ho, did a movie that I thought was spectacular a few years ago - Memories of a Murder. I do love South Korean TV crime series. Also, Park Chan-wook’s Old Boy - nothing like it.
I am American too and I can categorically say that most Americans do not like subtitles. Just check reviews on Prime Video. And think of all the great movies that are foreign that are remakes - CODA is one. And think of The Departed - how many people have seen Infernal Affairs - the original and the absolute better of the two. Hands down. I will go look for your short review on DMC.
Yep, that car is great.
I'll have to check out Memories Of A Murder and Old Boy.
I don't mind subs but the thing I've noticed the most after the switch from analog to digital, is the sound quality is not quite as good. There are times when I need to turn on the subs to understand the actors even in American films. So, I've gotten used to it, but you're right. A lot of Americans don't like subs.
Yes. The sound quality - especially if it’s Scottish, Australian, Irish or in Yorkshire. And then there’s the SLANG.
shareI watched the French version which I found very funny. All of the songs were beautiful and the lyrics poetic.
Only the son is deaf in real life so the others had to learn sign language.
The family are farmers. My guess is that CODA created a life/death scene to add drama which is the reason for changing them into a fishing family. The French cast are very charming and likeable. Some controversy about the signing not comprehensible for deaf moviegoers.
Enjoyable enough for a second viewing from me. 8.5/10
How did you see the french version of this? I can't find it anywhere...
shareIt's here. But no English subtitles though.
http://ok.ru/video/2628161571391
no subs?
damn... thanks anyways.
You're welcome. Sorry about that. I'll keep checking periodically because there are always new uploads on there.
shareLooks like it's on Apple TV with English subtitles.
shareThe french version is on appleTV?
shareLooks like it might be. But idk for sure because I don't have that. And also sometimes it'll be listed but then when you go to click on something it'll say this content is no longer available. So who really knows...
https://tv.apple.com/gb/movie/la-famille-belier/umc.cmc.3o35qeqiokn4y8nzm49x67ghj
Wow, looks like you need itunes and Windows 10 to watch it. lol
I don't have an iphone either.
Ohh well...
My library.
shareIt was ok. That's really it. If by "diversity" you mean a movie with deaf people - yeah it is that. I've got to say though, I've had time to get some wisdom on "CODA" (probably a month since I saw it) and I'm even more convinced my initial impression was correct. WHich was if you want to watch a much better film that addresses deafness - check out "Sound of Metal".
shareIt's an okay movie with a strong last third. Not woke at all, though, which is the best thing you can say about it. Nothing being forced down your throat. Very normal and watchable in that sense, and surprisingly funny and sexual (heterosexual, no gay stuff at all, surprisingly, mercifully). The level of non-wokeness in this film was shocking, actually. Just a normal movie about relatively normal people, some of which happen to have a disability, but it's very organic and tasteful and not anything that's used to preach to you in any way whatsoever. Very refreshing. Reminded me of the good old days of Hollywood, pre-2018 or so.
Not a great movie by any means, and certainly not the "best film of the year," but at least it didn't have any dumb leftist ideology in it.