‘CODA’ Explores the Plight of a Hearing Teen and Her Deaf Family

Sandra Miska

A young woman looks to break away from her family unit and follow her own path in “CODA,” a coming-of-age dramedy featuring a story that is both familiar and unique. English actor Emilia Jones, who resembles a young Emma Stone, stars as Ruby Rossi, a high school senior living in the fishing town of Gloucester, MA who has dreams of leaving and pursuing her passion, music. Like most parents in their position, Jackie (Marlee Matlin) and Frank (Troy Kotsur) Rossi are more than hesitant to throw their full support behind her, but they have good reason not to be sure of her talent, as they’re both deaf.

The title comes from the acronym “child of deaf adults.” Being the only hearing member of her family, Ruby’s parents and older brother Leo (Daniel Durant) rely on her a great deal. Not only does she act as their interpreter when dealing with business associates and the like, she also wakes up every morning at three to help out on their fishing boat. It’s expected that after graduating high school Ruby will work with her family full time like Leo, although certain developments, such as the fact that buyers aren’t paying fair prices anymore and that the fishing boats are being subjected to increasing regulations, make Frank believe he may have no other choice but to sell the boat. 

Soon, Leo and Ruby push Frank to start a co-op with the other fishermen, even though it would increase work not only for the men, but also for Ruby and Jackie. Even though she has worked alongside the other wives for a while, Jackie feels like an outsider, as she cannot participate in their small talk, which prevents real friendships from blossoming. This is also the case for Frank and Leo to an extent, although male bonding involves less talking and more beer drinking.

At the same time this is all going down, Ruby, who has always enjoyed singing by herself, takes a chance by signing up for choir at her school. Her eccentric teacher, Bernardo Villalobos (delightful and gifted Mexican actor Eugenio Derbez), sees something in her, and not only does he push her to audition for Berklee College of Music, he also offers to work with her on evenings and weekends. Predictably, she soon finds herself pulled in different directions, having to constantly choose between her family obligations and Villalobos, who demands punctuality and full commitment. 

In these types of films, the viewer’s sympathy is almost always fully with the young person with the big dream, while the parents usually come off as overbearing and unreasonable. However, the audience cannot help but feel for Ruby’s family, who almost certainly would face hardships without her. Director and writer Sian Heder, who adapted “CODA” from the French film “La Famille Bélier,” sets up an unique dynamic unfamiliar to most who will watch her film, although first-generation Americans who grew up translating for their parents will relate to Ruby somewhat. Jones has great moments with both Matlin and Kotsur, as well as Durant, and one that stands out is when Jackie calls her daughter out on what she perceives as her rebellion. “If I were blind, would you want to paint?” She asks her. Meanwhile, while the pressure is on Ruby, Leo shows resentment towards her because of her savior status in the family, calling her Saint Ruby.

Finally, “CODA” is an important film in terms of representation, as all three deaf characters are played by deaf actors. Matlin, an Oscar-winner, had to have been a no-brainer to cast, but the actress had to fight to get the studio to hire a deaf actor to play her husband, and her efforts paid off, because not only do the actors bring authenticity, but Matlin and Kotsur have great chemistry together. There’s a subplot involving Frank and Jackie being super horny for each other, and while it veers into cringe territory, it does allow for some hilarious improv, especially on the part of Kotsur. One does not have to be familiar with ASL to see that the actors here were able to let loose and play around in their scenes in ways hearing actors never could. Hopefully the film paves the way for not only Jones’s career, but also opens the door for more roles for her co-stars, including ones that do not center on their deafness.

“CODA” releases Aug. 13 on Apple TV+ and in select theaters.