MovieChat Forums > CODA (2021) Discussion > It's hard to root for the main character...

It's hard to root for the main character when your empathy goes to the family.

posted 3 years ago by pbt (113)
1 reply | jump to latest

That family was seriously dealt a bad hand in life. Deaf. Isolated from the world. Gets cheated at the fish market. Nearing the end of their financial rope.

Not that I judge Ruby for wanting to pursue her own life and dreams, it's just that when you place her problems next to her parents, it just doesn't compare.

Leo is in the same situation that she is. He's the child of their parents, but unlike Ruby, he doesn't get the option to leave. He has to stay to help the family. The task is that much harder because he's also deaf. The burden is now on him, because his sister wants to be free of hers!

Plus her parents were depicted as "cool hippie" types, and shown as the good values for parents to have. It wasn't like she was escaping cruel, evil parents.

It's hard to get on board a story when the empathy isn't there.

[–] Boromir (10061) 2 years ago

It's interesting point because in this movie the main character is the least struggle. A little different from most "feel good" movies. For me it's not about feel sorry for her, it's her whole character that made me feel empathy for her. Overall she's such a sweet and kind girl who care about her parents and brother, even her youth rebellion happen very late when she almost finish school. In her biggest moment of her life, during the audition, she didn't forget her parents with a touching gesture that made me shed a tear. How anyone can't love her? :)
Also at the long run I believe she making a good career will help her parents more than the current situation.

I happy the director finish the movie with happy ending to all the family members.