CODA(2021), directed by Sian Heder, is an endearing film that spins just about every coming-of-age trope on its head and offers something simultaneously familiar and new. Praise from the film was heard all the way back during its debut at the Sundance Film Festival, but its ability to stay relevant into awards season, despite its much earlier release, demonstrates just the lasting effect this film has had on people. Evidence of the film’s success is not just clear through hearsay though, but through its recent Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actor Oscar wins.
The film follows Ruby, a hearing senior in high school who is family to two deaf parents and a deaf brother. She traverses the familiar turf of any high school senior; what do I do next? Half the time, it feels familiar and crowded with coming-of-age film tropes that we have seen repeatedly. The other half of the time, CODA is emphatically new, telling us a story that we have not yet heard, while maintaining parallels with films we have likely seen too many times.
While the story of the teenager who feels pressured to do what their parents expect of them rather than pave their own path feels overdone, the film turns the cliche around. Each family member is carefully fleshed out with great intention, and no moment in the script is left without purpose. Intention is one of the film’s most vital aspects, as nothing happens that does not contribute to the story or Ruby’s overall arch. The film checks every box in the making of a classic crowd-pleasing and unique coming-of-age film, while also doing something new and improving upon the genre.
While the film doesn’t necessarily need embellishments, CODA does feel visually dull. Too much overt artistry would feel out of place, but I would’ve loved it if the film incorporated more creative visual elements or powerful camerawork. Certain scenes could have been even more touching had that been the case.
CODA was cheesy, full of tropes, and potentially even unrealistic and dreamy, but that did not stop it from being moving. We’ve seen the shy girl navigate high school, the awkward scenarios with someone’s crush, and the embarrassing parents, but we’ve never once seen it done like this. “CODA” stands for “child of deaf adults,” which our main character Ruby is. We get to see her traverse through the hardships of high school, while also handling her complicated home life. CODA indulges in the conventions of the common-of-age genre while also transcending the genre, resulting in a sweet, new, and nostalgic piece of work.
Showing a group of people, who are seldom portrayed on screen, in a story that both teaches about their community and grounds them and shows how we are all similar, is rare in film. Not only is it rare, but it’s essential, and that’s why CODA delivers.