CODA 2021

In a world where sounds are silence and words are vibrations, Ruby Rossi (Emilia Jones) navigates her reality as the sole hearing member of her deaf family. Her father, Frank (Troy Kotsur), mother Jackie (Marlee Matlin), and older brother Leo (Daniel Durant) rely on her to translate their daily interactions with the world outside their own quiet bubble. As she works alongside her father on his fishing boat, Ruby’s voice is her solace, harmonizing with the rhythmic creaks of the vessel as it glides across the water.

Her days are a balancing act between school and family responsibilities. At school, Ruby’s best friend Gertie (Amy Forsyth) stands by her side, a constant source of support against the teasing of her peers who mock her for her fishy scent and deaf heritage. Outside the classroom walls, Ruby’s crush on Miles (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo) intensifies as she watches him sign up for the school choir. Summoning courage, she joins the group, hoping to catch his eye.

However, her attempts at normalcy are consistently thwarted by the eccentricities of her family life. Her parents’ truck blasts loud music on the way home from a doctor’s appointment, mortifying Ruby as she’s forced to translate the diagnosis – a common affliction among fishermen that leaves them unable to indulge in their desires for two weeks. The tension is palpable as the family gathers around the dinner table, where Leo nonchalantly swipes through Tinder on his phone.

In choir class, Mr. Villalobos (Eugenio Derbez) asks each student to showcase their vocal range, but Ruby’s nerves get the better of her, and she flees the room in tears. Seeking solace by the water’s edge, she lets her voice soar, only to return home to find her parents at odds over their financial struggles. Frank suggests selling the boat, while the weight of mounting bills and declining credit cards threatens to suffocate them. Meanwhile, the fishermen at the docks are hit with an unexpected blow – they must now pay a hefty eight hundred dollars per day to accommodate federal observers, adding insult to injury as they struggle to make ends meet.

As Ruby (character) returns to school, she revisits Mr. Villalobos, sharing the painful memories of her childhood when relentless teasing for her unique speech pattern left her feeling vulnerable and anxious. The empathetic educator’s eyes light up as he finally experiences Ruby’s extraordinary singing voice, prompting him to select her for a duet performance at the upcoming fall concert. Pairing her with Miles, he instructs them to harmonize their voices in tandem.

Meanwhile, Ruby’s encounter with Leo at the docks reveals his questionable business practices, infuriating her when she discovers he’s undervaluing their catch. Her frustration momentarily subsides as she reunites with her father outside, where he’s indulging in a casual smoke session.

Back at school, Mr. Villalobos witnesses Ruby and Miles’s duet rehearsal, only to find them woefully out of sync due to separate practice sessions. He urges the pair to rectify their performance, then turns his attention to Ruby, inquiring about her post-graduation plans. When she confesses that financial constraints will prevent her from attending college, Mr. Villalobos, an alumnus of the prestigious Berklee College of Music, offers words of encouragement and guidance. He explains that auditions are approaching, accompanied by scholarship opportunities, and asks Ruby how singing makes her feel. As she responds through sign language, he extends his tutoring services to prepare her for the audition, cautioning her not to waste his time.

Ruby’s conversation with her mother, Jackie, is met with lukewarm enthusiasm, inadvertently hurting Ruby’s feelings. Jackie expresses a whimsical notion that if Ruby were deaf, she might take up painting instead. Elsewhere, Leo proposes establishing a co-op among the fishermen to optimize their sales, but Frank dismisses the idea as unrealistic, citing the other fishermen’s skepticism towards him. Incensed, Leo joins them at their local watering hole, only to find himself struggling to connect with the group due to his limited communication skills.

As the evening unfolds, Leo becomes embroiled in a bar fight after someone spills a drink on him, and Gertie, a bartender, intervenes, communicating with him via text message. The two ultimately share a romantic moment in a secluded room, their connection bridging the gap between them.

Here’s my rephrased version of the text:

As Miles and Ruby collaborate on their duet, the atmosphere is laced with an air of awkwardness. They sing facing each other, their voices blending in a harmony that gradually gains momentum. However, their musical moment is abruptly disrupted by the sounds of Frank and Jackie’s intimate encounter, leaving Ruby feeling embarrassed and humiliated. The tension escalates when Frank and Jackie invite Miles and Ruby to join them for a candid discussion about relationships, with Ruby forced to serve as translator. This uncomfortable scenario sets the tone for the rest of the day.

At school, Ruby’s classmates begin to mock her about her parents’ unconventional lifestyle, prompting her to confront Miles, who insists he only shared their situation with one person. Ruby’s anger boils over, and she storms off, feeling frustrated and betrayed. Meanwhile, Ruby finds solace in her music practice, pouring her emotions into a powerful rendition of Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now.” Mr. Villalobos, impressed by her passion, encourages her to harness her emotions to elevate her performance.

In the community, tensions come to a head as the council addresses Frank and Ruby about the observers. Frank takes charge, delivering a defiant speech that leaves everyone stunned. He announces plans to start his own co-op, with Ruby serving as the translator. While Jackie is horrified by Frank’s bold move, Leo sees an opportunity for their family to finally connect with the fishing community.

As Ruby’s schedule becomes increasingly hectic, balancing her business and music commitments proves challenging. Her parents’ struggles to communicate with the other fishermen and wives take a toll on their relationships. Mr. Villalobos grows frustrated with Ruby’s tardiness and lack of commitment, warning her that he will no longer tutor her if she doesn’t improve.

In a dramatic turn of events, a news crew arrives at Frank and Jackie’s business, prompting Ruby to stay behind and translate during the interview. Feeling guilty for wanting her family to succeed, Ruby stays behind, missing her music practice with Mr. Villalobos. When she finally reaches his doorstep, she finds him unwilling to continue their lessons, citing his own experiences with failure.

At school, Ruby seeks out Mr. Villalobos again, apologizing profusely for her lack of commitment. However, he remains resolute in his decision to end their tutoring sessions, feeling that he has already learned a valuable lesson about the importance of perseverance.

In the midst of her family’s discord, Ruby confides in them about her passion for singing, only to be met with skepticism and resistance. The tension culminates in a heated argument over her decision to pursue higher education, with Jackie voicing concerns that Ruby might not excel as a singer. Frank, ever the pragmatist, points out that he never had the luxury of being a “baby” himself, prompting Ruby to storm off, feeling unheard and frustrated.

As the atmosphere at home continues to simmer, Ruby’s absence from work is noted by an observer who has been monitoring Frank’s boat. Unbeknownst to Ruby, this observer’s presence is not solely focused on her father’s business; they are also tasked with ensuring that no unauthorized activities occur on the water. Meanwhile, Ruby and Miles share a tender moment while swimming together, which ultimately blossoms into a romantic kiss.

However, their blissful interlude is short-lived, as the observer’s keen eye notices something amiss: there is no one on board to hear the sirens blaring in the distance. The coast guard is called, but neither Frank nor Leo are aware of the warning signs, leaving them oblivious to the impending consequences.

The fallout from this oversight is severe; Frank’s license is suspended, and he is slapped with hefty fines that threaten to bankrupt him without a way to get back on the water. Desperate for a solution, Jackie suggests that they cannot afford to hire a hearing deckhand, prompting Frank to propose an unexpected solution: Ruby herself would fill this role.

Ruby is devastated by the suggestion, pleading with her family to recognize that she is not responsible for their predicament. As emotions run high, Ruby agrees to set aside her college aspirations and work on the boat instead, assuring everyone that she is thrilled about the change. However, her words fall flat, as Leo becomes disillusioned and exits the scene in disgust.

In an effort to lift Ruby’s spirits, Jackie gifts her a stunning dress for an upcoming concert, explaining to Ruby that Leo simply feels left out. Ruby responds by asserting that it is actually she who has been feeling isolated all along. The conversation then turns to Jackie’s own experiences with being hearing, prompting her to reveal that when she discovered she could hear, her initial reaction was disappointment due to fears of not being able to communicate effectively. Despite this, Jackie affirms that she loves Ruby exactly as she is.

Ruby’s musical aspirations take center stage when she pays a visit to Leo, who reveals that she has a natural gift for singing and should pursue it. However, he expresses frustration at being held back from participating in the business due to his inability to communicate with hearing people. Ruby empathizes with him, explaining that all interactions involve spoken language, and Leo retorts that they should let others figure out how to adapt to their needs. Meanwhile, the family is left none the wiser as Gertie shares her enthusiasm for Ruby’s performance at a concert, despite them being unable to hear it themselves.

Following the show, Mr. Villalobos introduces himself with an awkward attempt at sign language, inadvertently saying “fuck you” instead of his intended greeting. He warns the family that they’re making a grave mistake by not allowing Ruby to attend school, but Ruby fails to translate his words. The tension is palpable as Frank asks Ruby about her song and requests a repeat performance.

The next day, the entire family accompanies Ruby to her Berklee audition, only to be informed that they cannot enter the room with her. As she faces Miles, who confesses to having choked during his own audition, Ruby realizes she’s left her sheet music behind. Panic sets in as she’s unsure how to proceed until Mr. Villalobos intervenes, deliberately botching the piano accompaniment to give Ruby a second chance.

As the audition begins, Ruby’s family takes their seats at the top of the theater, watching anxiously as Ruby sings “Both Sides Now” while simultaneously signing the lyrics. With her performance complete, the family’s fortunes take a turn for the better: Frank trains a new hearing deckhand, Jackie forms bonds with the other wives, and Miles learns to communicate through sign language.

Ruby’s acceptance into Berklee brings mixed emotions as she says goodbye to her family, sharing a heartfelt group hug before Gertie drives her away. As the car disappears into the distance, Ruby pauses, then runs back to her family, embracing them once more as she signs her farewell message.