For the deaf that hearing would also enjoy

Two movies in the week, though this one was at an actual theater. I went to see the movie CODA, Children of Deaf Adults. It is also a musical term meaning the ending. I was interested in it because Ruby, the young woman at the center of this movie, loves to sing though this is something her deaf parents and brother can’t understand. Since I compose and perform music and know its power to move people that situation is fascinating. My niece was interested in it because she has studied American Sign Language. We weren’t sure we would be able to see it together in a theater, then my schedule for today unexpectedly cleared. We met at the Maple Theater in Bloomfield Hills for the 2:30 show. I got there first and was startled that the inside was dark and no one was around, yet the doors were unlocked. Then I saw a sign by the door saying they were closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. But I had checked the website before I left home and Niece checked it on her phone while we stood outside – it indeed listed two showings for today. We needed to make a choice. We could wait nearby until another showing at 4:00 (according to the website) or try for Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor. We chose Ann Arbor and drove the 45 minutes. We got there in plenty of time for the 4:15 showing. Even had time to do some walking around the area, though didn’t do much because of the heat. So, back to the movie. Niece explained this was a movie made for deaf people that hearing people would also enjoy. Everything said, both in English and ASL, was displayed in subtitles. When there wasn’t actual singing, there was very little background music. When the family discussed or argued all we heard were the sounds of the room, such as footsteps or things being set on the table. When Ruby, played by Emilia Jones, did her big concert the sound faded out so we could experience it like her family would. They looked around to see how the music affected others in the audience. The conflict of the movie centered around the father and brother, as fishermen, needing a hearing person and translator on the boat and Ruby had that unpaid job. But she might be good enough to go off to college to study music. Then what would the family do? The deaf people in the story were played by deaf actors – Marlee Matlin, Troy Kotsur, and Daniel Durant. All of them, especially Kotsur. are fine actors. I’m sure Kotsur relished the salty language he got to sign – much to the embarrassment of Ruby, who toned down her translation. His scene where he reminded Ruby’s boyfriend to use a condom was hilarious (except to Ruby and the boyfriend) and no translation was needed. I highly recommend this one.