The movie Coda on Apple TV+

Professionally, I helped schools and districts arrange interpreters for conferences and school events. We never ever would have recommended that a child, especially starting at age 5, interpret her own parent teacher conferences. There also shouldn’t be an assumption that the CODA, regardless of age or first language, is as qualified as a certified interpreter. There’s also the problem that sometimes teachers want to discuss a student privately. But most of all, there’s the fact that a student absolutely should not be interpreting information about her own progress or needs. It’s just hugely unfair to the CODA. And, not for nothin, an ADA violation. (Codas also shouldn’t be standing up in front of the room interpreting at parent-only open houses or informational meetings or disciplinary meetings or IEP meetings or whatever.) (ETA:“Whatever” includes a concert, where the parents absolutely would have benefited from an interpreter, regardless of the later throat-feeling scene.)

I’ve known and worked with many CODAS. All of them have had a shared yet singular experience and often share details with friends and colleagues. None I know ever actually helped their parents on the job. They went to the doctor and funeral homes and other places children should not be facilitating communication, but never on the job. I just thought it was heavy-handed to choose this unusual occupational circumstance, and then to add in the requirement of a hearing person on the boat as the “Should I leave or not” conflict - instead of the typical situations that drive any conflicts in CODA family roles.

Basically, I thought the movie would have been a lot better without falling into the made-for-TV type writing tropes that can often infect heartwarming movies and make them wince-ie. I know CODAS who feel the same. 

(By the way, there were definitely things I liked. I loved the conversation between Mom and Coda about learning she was hearing. I also like the showdown scene between the two siblings. They both rang true.) 

But again, we pay attention to movies about what we know. I also have plenty of critical thoughts about the writing of that music teacher (!), but I’ll keep them to myself. LOL.

season 2 is out. I have been watching it.

We used to go to a church that had a small deaf population and usually one of a married pair who taught at our local school for the deaf interpreted (they were compensated) but a few times when they were gone, one of the parishioners who was a CODA would get tapped to interpret at the last second. It REALLY bothered him and after a while, his spouse let the church leadership know so they wouldn't count on him without asking him ahead of time and they agreed to compensate him for the work. 
When he was a kid, his parents depended upon him for a lot and apparently it took it's toll in a big way. I can't imagine him being a little kid and doing all the communicating even on common errands or ordering food (like her love interest mentioned). Now that you've explained it further, I want to hug that little kid inside. 

Thanks so much for all the Apple TV recommendations. I just got 3 free months and was looking for more stuff to watch.

I'll allow your grumpus moment and appreciate your comments. For me, the concert scene was kind of the perfect moment to go silent. I was happily anticipating the duet and "heard" it from the parent's perspective. It was a powerful bit of deaf reality for a hearing person.

As to the parents "just have to request an interpreter", IME, based on a deaf child in our Seattle neighborhood (big urban area), that only happens if there is a qualified interpreter available. A friend had her DD on a waitlist from preschool through to 2nd grade for an interpreter so she could attend the local school. She finally joined us in 3rd grade. After a few experiences where one isn't available, do you just stop asking? Depend even more on your CODA to take on the responsibility?

FWIW, IME, the acting in CODA was on a much higher level than the script (especially the fishing without a hearing person on the random day a monitor shows up and they "ignore" the coast guards instructions and get hefty fine/license revoked?), which is what sold it for me.  

I loved CODA but agree it had the typical tear jerky tropes that were cringey. My closest friend is a CODA, and has told me all about doing all the interpreting and making phone calls for her parents. She was the oldest of 6, and expected to be her parents helper her whole childhood. When she left home her mother was furious because she thought Sara should stay and help.

As for recommendations, I loved Mr Corman a series with one season so far with Joseph Gordon Levitt. The writing is smart, heartfelt and totally sucked me in. Debra Winger makes a fun turn as his Mom.

I’ve always liked this actor since Third Rock From the Sun, but this stripped down authentic and honest work is exactly my kind of show.