Bentonville Film Festival 2021: CODA

The second coming of age film showcased at this year’s Bentonville Film Festival was the much raved about Coda. From director Sian Heder, Coda was by far one of the best films of the showcase – and the best of the year. Following Ruby (Emilia Jones) on the cusp of adulthood, Coda finds her struggling to balance both family and future, her desires and the needs of her family a constant source of anxiety and uncertainty.

Honestly, I loved this film, and it is by far one of my favorites of the year. There is a deep feeling of sincerity in its creation and brought to life by both actor and filmmaker with the tenderest of care. And it is not only the inclusivity of disabled actors that makes the film shine. From script to screen, there is a deep commitment to bringing the story to life through humor, vulnerability, and a true understanding of both family dynamics and self-discovery.

Perfection from start to finish

I had a moment of hesitancy about seeing Coda, an almost too good to be true feeling in the wake of its praise and recommendations. I was drawn to the film’s inclusivity, its casting embracing actors who experience the same disability as the characters they are tasked to portray. But I wanted and hoped that the film could be more than the disability that is included, to go beyond just having actors with disabilities cast just for that reason. I wanted depth to their portrayals and a fully fleshed-out form. With Coda, there was a risk of these characters becoming counterparts to the propulsion of the narrative for the sake of Ruby – the only hearing individual within the family. Coda became so much more.

With Coda, this is not a film about a deaf family, it is a film about a family whose members happen to be deaf. While a prominent element of the film, Coda focuses more on the family dynamic and the connections between each of the members, the fact they are deaf heightening the drive of each of its characters and the tightly formed bonds between them. It was a refreshing film, one that is built on the backs of previous inclusivity, but one that is new and raw – welcoming to all audiences.

From the very beginning, the audience is introduced to Ruby, her father Frank (Troy Kotsur), and her brother Leo (Daniel Durant) as they work on their fishing boat. While she is singing, establishing early that she is a hearing individual, there is unison and even playfulness in the way the three work, no speaking required. There is an immediate sense of the bond and quiet understanding between the three. On land, Ruby sells their catch, fighting and negotiating for a fair price, the interactions with her father and brother showcasing not only limitations placed on them from outside the family but the limitations they place on themselves.

Enabling and Pulling away

This is one of the strongest elements within the film, one that is deeply played into and showcased – the idea of enabling, pulling away, and finding your strength of self by breaking through many of your own self-imposed limitations. Born as the only hearing member of the Rossi family, Ruby grows to become the family’s translator, becoming the tether they cling to for connection outside of their family. She is there for their doctor’s appointments, fishery meetings and even for conversations with grandma when Mother Jackie (Marlee Matlin) doesn’t want to use the video conference.

As Ruby is encouraged to embrace her talent and love for art and to pursue a scholarship at Berklee University, by her teacher Mr. V. (Eugenio Derbez), she finds herself torn between her desires and her responsibility to her family. A battle that does not reside only with her, but rather ripples out to the other members of her family. In the wake of her desire to leave, Frank, Jackie, and Leo must, for the first time in years, learn to live without her, both with the start of a new business but with each other. As family structures and expectations are broken down, Ruby’s journey of self-discovery becomes a journey beyond herself that will have lasting effects.

Coda is a film that reassures audiences that it is okay to let go, both of the presumed responsibilities we may have resolved ourselves too, but also for those who may have made our lives a little bit easier, forcing us to step out from behind the shadows and embrace a wealth of opportunity and connection. Bravery, trust, and strength are each tackled and examined through each family member in a means that is inspiring and heartwarming.

Conclusion: Coda

Coda is not only an inspiration, it is humorous, each element of its success bolstered by the craftsmanship behind the camera and the actors bringing the characters to life. Emilia Jones shines as Ruby, bringing a raw vulnerability in a package of resilience and strength. Jones knows how to balance the weight of family responsibility and dreams, keeping every element of Ruby authentic and credible. She is flanked by the outstanding performances of the remaining Rossi family. Troy Kotsur is unafraid to show the fear behind the tough facade of Frank, his character finding his voice through both frustration and bravery. Marlee Matlin shines too as Jackie Rossi, a mother who fears both for her daughter and of the world’s lack of understanding. She is as humorous and strong as she is fragile, and Matlin handles the balance well. And not to mention, the chemistry between Matlin and Kotsur not only brings the script to life in the best way possible, where Ruby is the soul of Coda they – along with Daniel Durant as Leo Rossi – are the heart.

Coda is perfection from start to finish, keeping audiences engaged through humor, heart, and genuine craftsmanship. From stunning performances all around to a story that rises above the rest, this is the must-see film of the year.

Have you seen Coda? What did you think? Let us know in the comments below!

Coda is currently available to stream on Apple TV+!

Watch Coda