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I’ve looked at life from both sides, now

From win and lose and still somehow

It’s life’s illusions I recall

I really don’t know life at all

Post-watching CODA (2021), you’ll realise that the film is filled with significance. Other than being a music reference, the film title is an acronym for Children of Deaf Adults (CODA). Despite being three years since the movie’s release, its message still rings true for viewers of today – particularly to both the hearing and non-hearing community.

In an interview, Emilia Jones who plays Ruby Rossi revealed that sign language has a much wider scope compared to the English language, allowing sign language users to be more expressive.

Ruby Rossi is the only sibling and daughter in a four-member household, who has normal hearing capacity. While the story is based on a French-Belgian La Famille Bélier film, this English-language remake will surely captivate more audiences around the world. Rossi’s parents run a fishing business and the siblings are roped in to help, making it a juggling act for Rossi – who has other roles – being a schoolkid, a school choir member and an interpreter for the other members of her family.

At one point in the movie, Rossi is partnered for a duet with one of her male classmates. The two foster a close friendship, hanging out - usually swimming together and eventually - love blossoms.

As a member of the hearing community, you can expect to see how the hearing community treats or overlooks those who belong in the non-hearing community – one scene that will remain glued to me is how Rossi’s father wrote down “DEAF” on a piece of paper so that the federal fishing observer who was on inspection work on the fishing boat could understand why Rossi’s father wasn’t responding normally. One dramatic yet real-life moment is when Rossi’s brother and father do not respond appropriately to ship horns and radio calls. Coincidentally, the only hearing member in the family is out swimming with her love interest. This prompts the Coast Guard to take action against their fishing activities – imposing a fine and suspending their business license.

The only way for Rossi to realise her music/singing aspirations is by applying for a spot in Berklee College of Music – and this of course, did not sit well with her parents – although Rossi’s brother was visibly furious – in reaction to the parents’ overdependence on his sister and the only girl who can make sense of audio.

It is one heck of a move to actually pick Both Sides, Now by Joni Mitchell to be sung and used in the movie – although Mitchell’s version is the second to the original Judy Collins but you’ll learn why eventually. Perhaps, by borrowing and using this classic for a film in the 21st century, it will propel the younger generation to want to listen to an oldie – just with a slight twist to the voice – strong, sweet, light and young, yet suited for melodies from the past.

The Clash’s cover version of I Fought the Law and the Law Won was also included in the film, which was surely bold, and this offers viewers something in between the moments of tension and comic.

The film’s tagline reads: Every family has its own language. Apt, don’t you think?

For the deaf characters, deaf actors were handpicked to be a part of the cast. Filmed in Massachusetts, the cast has a mix of English and American actors and actresses. The film bagged several awards including the three categories it was nominated for – Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Supporting Actor and Best Picture at the 94th Academy Awards.

The film is exclusive to those who have access to Apple TV+, particularly if you’re outside the US.  Apple Original Films, the film’s distributor purchased the rights to have it on their streaming service for USD25 million.