Is CODA Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2019)

The Narrative Arc & Core Premise

CODA, a standout production of 2019, meticulously weaves its narrative threads through the Modern Cinema landscape, offering a cinematic experience that is as challenging as it is rewarding. The primary thematic concern of the film is an investigation into To be a CODA (child of deaf adult), “Tien-Sheng” learnt to express love through body language and eye contact without speech. As the story unfolds, we are introduced to a world where the traditional boundaries of Modern Cinema are tested.

The screenplay takes its time to establish the stakes, ensuring that every character motivation is grounded in a psychological reality. The synopsis only hints at the depth: "To be a CODA (child of deaf adult), “Tien-Sheng” learnt to express love through body language and eye contact without speech. He was the bridge to communicate with the outer world for his family since young. After his father’s passing, his daily routine was to accompany his mother to the morning market and translate throughout including those embarrassing topics for a teenager. However, with the passage of Tien-Sheng’s puberty, he discovered his hearing is deteriorating. With the upcoming dance competition, he chose to escape from reality and dare not to confront with his mother. Just like the gradual deterioration of hearing and his father’s memorial ceremony, the lost will never return in life but the footprints of memories will be left behind."

Artistic Execution & Performance Study

A film's resonance is often dictated by the strength of its execution, both in front of and behind the camera. Gail Lin does an admirable job with the material provided, but one can't help but feel that a more daring directorial approach would have yielded a more impactful result. It is a competent but ultimately standard genre performance.

The direction by Hsiang Chun LEE is marked by a steady and professional hand. From a production standpoint, the film meets the high standards of modern industrial filmmaking. The sets are well-crafted, and the visual effects are integrated with a level of polish that ensures the viewer matches the director's intended level of immersion. While perhaps not groundbreaking, the execution is flawless. The pacing, over its 25 minute runtime, allows the audience to fully inhabit the space the director has created, making the eventual resolution feel deeply earned.

Critical Assessment: Why You Should Watch

Is CODA truly worth your investment of time and attention? In an era of disposable content, this film makes a strong case for its existence. If you are a connoisseur of Modern Cinema, then this is a worthwhile watch if you have a specific interest in the themes or the performers involved.

The film's ability to perfectly execute its genre requirements is why it has earned its 0/10 score. It speaks to a global audience while maintaining a distinct and unique voice, a balance that is notoriously difficult to achieve in the modern marketplace.

Philosophical Subtext & Directorial Vision

At a deeper level, CODA explores the dichotomy of truth and perception. The 2019 audience is increasingly sophisticated, and Hsiang Chun LEE respects this by refusing to provide easy answers to the story's complex questions.

The philosophical underpinnings of the second and third acts suggest a narrative that is interested in more than just entertainment. It is an exploration of what it means to be human in an increasingly complex world.

Final Editorial Recommendation

Ultimately, CODA is an interesting experiment that, while flawed, offers enough moments of creative spark to be worth a casual glance for the curious. Whether you are drawn to it by the star power of Gail Lin or the critical acclaim surrounding its release, CODA is a film that demands to be seen on the largest screen possible.