Apple TV's CODA: The Uplifting Story That We All Need.

"I've never done anything without my family."

Official movie trailer from Apple TV

It is hard to get my entire family to sit down and watch a movie with me—simply put they usually hate my choices. They only agreed to sit through CODA with me today because I’m sick.

It is even harder to get both my parents to cry during a movie. They are insistent on the fact that “it’s just a movie,” and never allow for any tears to escape.

Official movie poster from Apple TV

But CODA is one of those rare exceptions that cracks through my emotionally tough as nails immigrant parents and cements a place in my family’s very special and exclusive shelf of movies.

Official movie soundtrack from Yena Audio YT Channel

There is nothing exceptionally revolutionary or amazingly jaw-dropping about CODA, it’s a feel good story at heart, but as I’ve said before, sometimes that’s all you need. It’s light, fresh, and not heavy, and I think we all need that right now. It’s hopeful and it’s funny and it’s relatable. Best of all it’s amazing representation for the deaf community, bringing to light issues that have never been thought of by any hearing individuals.

Sian Heder directs Eugenio Derbez in "CODA". Image from Apple TV

While I'm not saying anything new about this movie, I have to agree with many reviewers saying that the sound editing that immersed you the world of someone deaf definitely brought me to tears. the actors were amazing and worked so well with each other, it felt all like a real family dynamic.

Emilia Jones and Marlee Matlin in “CODA

The ending audition with ruby signing for her family was all the more of a tearjerker. I usually blame my tears on the fact that I’m just an extremely emotional person, but I have to give it to CODA for eliciting the watery eyes this time.

Lyric video from Apple TV

While many may argue against its best picture win, I think CODA deserved it. The other nominees may have as well deserved it, but that doesn’t detract from how good CODA is.

Full on ugly cry. CODA is going to be something my family will share forever, and that alone makes it special enough.