Ode to Joy

Name: Ode to Joy
Genre: Comedy
Released: August 9, 2019
Duration: 97 min
Rating: 38
Cast: Adam Shapiro, Alex Perez, dL Sams, Ed Herbstman, Ellis Rubin

2019

METASCORE

Generally unfavorable reviews based on 7 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 6 Ratings

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7.5

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7.5	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 6 Ratings

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Ode To Joy

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Movie Details & Credits

IFC Films | Release Date: August 9, 2019 | R

Starring: Adam Shapiro, Alex Perez, dL Sams, Ed Herbstman, Ellis Rubin, Jackie Seiden, Jake Lacy, Jane Curtin, Jason Altman, Martin Freeman, Melissa Rauch, Morena Baccarin, Shannon Woodward

Summary: How does a man who is—literally—paralyzed by happiness find love? Thanks to a condition called cataplexy—a rare disorder that causes him to lose control of his muscles whenever he is overcome by strong emotion, particularly joy—Brooklyn librarian Charlie (Martin Freeman) has learned to carefully edit all delight-triggering people, places,How does a man who is—literally—paralyzed by happiness find love? Thanks to a condition called cataplexy—a rare disorder that causes him to lose control of his muscles whenever he is overcome by strong emotion, particularly joy—Brooklyn librarian Charlie (Martin Freeman) has learned to carefully edit all delight-triggering people, places, and events out of his life. Family weddings, cute babies, adorable puppies, and, yes, romance are all fraught with peril in Charlie’s carefully managed world. But when the beautiful, spontaneous Francesca (Morena Baccarin) falls for him, the risk-averse Charlie finds himself at a crossroads: suppress his feelings of attraction, or take a chance and let love in? Based on a true story originally featured on This American Life, Ode to Joy is a hilarious and touching look at what happens when we stop being afraid and let ourselves truly live. [IFC Films]… Expand

Director: Jason Winer

Genre(s): Comedy

Rating: R

Runtime: 97 min

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Critic Reviews

Alan Ng

Aug 8, 2019

Everyone has defined, and distinct characters and no one is phoning it in. Just sit back and enjoy this unique romantic comedy. Read full review

RogerEbert.com Nick Allen

Aug 9, 2019

A plainly affable romantic comedy that’s not too powerful with its romance, and certainly not its comedy. Read full review

Jeannette Catsoulis

Aug 8, 2019

Freeman, never the most animated of performers, gives his specific brand of passive British miserabilism free rein. But it’s Melissa Rauch, as Charlie’s safely dull, place-holder girlfriend, who steals the show. Read full review

James Berardinelli

Aug 10, 2019

The film’s depiction of cataplexy is a reasonable representation considering how it’s being used (sufferers may understandably disagree). It’s too bad that so many of the screenplay’s other elements – like its treatment of basic human emotions – are badly mishandled. Read full review

Frank Scheck

Aug 8, 2019

Ode to Joy fails to live up to its title by attempting to wring comic mileage from a medical condition that sufferers probably don't find very funny. Read full review

Noel Murray

Aug 8, 2019

The movie was inspired by a real person but nearly everything that happens here plays as phony. Read full review

Tomris Laffly

Aug 9, 2019

Mostly known for his behind-the-camera TV credits on shows like “Modern Family” and “1600 Penn,” Winer doesn’t bring much finesse into the generic visuals of Ode to Joy. In fairness to him, no amount of directorial elegance could have saved the artificial beats of a narrative that fails to create believable sexual tension between its “romantic” leads and amounts only to an utterly shallow showdown between brothers with long-standing scores to settle. Read full review

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User Reviews

TVJerry

Jun 18, 2020

Martin Freeman brings an anxious intensity to any role he plays (most recently in the darkly funny Breeders on FX). This character gives him a chance to amp up those traits for laughs. He plays a man with cataplexy, a disorder that makes him lose muscle control whenever he's happy. To avoidMartin Freeman brings an anxious intensity to any role he plays (most recently in the darkly funny Breeders on FX). This character gives him a chance to amp up those traits for laughs. He plays a man with cataplexy, a disorder that makes him lose muscle control whenever he's happy. To avoid that outcome, he moves thru his day focusing on the miserable side of life, until he meets a wonderful woman (Morena Baccarin). In addition to Freeman's affable charms, Jake Lacy (as his brother) and Melissa Rauch (as his "safe" girlfriend) add additional funny moments. Director Jason Winer is most associated with his work on Modern Family and he captures that same buoyantly upbeat/offbeat vibe here. While the romance plays out predictably, getting there provides lots of sweet appeal and delightful comedy.… Expand

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franvillanu

Mar 8, 2020

The film is worth watching, it's not a masterpiece, but the casting did a great job in portraying cataplexy in comedy, as challenging as it can be. Considering that it is a comedy and not a documentary about the condition, Freeman gives a warm and sentimental performance and BrazilianThe film is worth watching, it's not a masterpiece, but the casting did a great job in portraying cataplexy in comedy, as challenging as it can be. Considering that it is a comedy and not a documentary about the condition, Freeman gives a warm and sentimental performance and Brazilian actress Morena Baccarin adds a charming and honest touch to the film. Recommended for Martin Freeman fans. Total score: 6.5.… Expand

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