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Ode to Joy

Name: Ode to Joy
Genre: Comedy
Released: August 9, 2019
Duration: 97 min
Rating: 38
Cast: Adam Shapiro, Alex Perez, Ellis Rubin, Jackie Seiden, Jake Lacy

2019

METASCORE

Generally unfavorable reviews based on 7 Critics

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Ode To Joy

Movie Details & Credits

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

Starring: Adam Shapiro, Alex Perez, Ellis Rubin, Jackie Seiden, Jake Lacy, Jane Curtin, 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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Awards & Rankings

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

Film Threat 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

ReelViews 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

The Hollywood Reporter 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

Los Angeles Times 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

Variety 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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