Martin Freeman and Morena Baccarin were awesome. Well acted simply put a nice story about the illness. Its not that sad and kinda funny, loved it. Maybe a 6 globally but from me its a solid 7/10.
50 Reviews
Interesting take on cataplexy
chinmoy326412 August 2019
Ode to Joy
JoBloTheMovieCritic8 January 2020
"Jane you ignorant..."
mcgill_j27 July 2021
I couldn't finish that iconic SNL line for my header, but I wanted to point out something I've seen little of. Granted is a small role but Jane Curtain brings a wonderful sense of humor, warmth and heart to this film. Yes Freeman and Baccarain are fun to watch and have excellent chemistry.
The disease in the film could easily be played for the cheap laugh. And it surprisingly wasn't. A minor spoiler. One dirtbag character you think . Actually you find out isn't, but still kind of is all in the span of maybe 3 minutes.
The cast is very well put together for such an under the radar kind of film. Freeman actually is much more subtle and doesn't play it over the top which he on occasion does. So seeing him here being a bit restrained is great.
It's never going to be the A level romantic comedy drama but falls comfortably in the genre. The one criticism could be it's neither that funny but it's never that dramatic either which sets it in an odd middle zone.
The disease in the film could easily be played for the cheap laugh. And it surprisingly wasn't. A minor spoiler. One dirtbag character you think . Actually you find out isn't, but still kind of is all in the span of maybe 3 minutes.
The cast is very well put together for such an under the radar kind of film. Freeman actually is much more subtle and doesn't play it over the top which he on occasion does. So seeing him here being a bit restrained is great.
It's never going to be the A level romantic comedy drama but falls comfortably in the genre. The one criticism could be it's neither that funny but it's never that dramatic either which sets it in an odd middle zone.
Refreshing and enjoyable
Gordon-113 September 2020
oh joy, no joy
ferguson-68 August 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Greetings again from the darkness. You might be familiar with the disease "narcolepsy", but unless you or someone close to you suffers from it, you're likely unfamiliar with "cataplexy" - a symptom of narcolepsy that causes sudden and extreme muscle weakness typically brought on by severe emotions such as sadness, anger or excitement. For Charlie (played by Martin Freeman, THE HOBBIT), the trigger is happiness, so he has learned to (mostly) cope by avoiding his triggers: puppies, weddings, random acts of kindness, kids playing, and relationships. What he couldn't avoid was being a groomsman in his sister's wedding, which is how director Jason Winer and co-writers Max Werner and Chris Higgins choose to begin the film. We see the full effects and fallout (no pun intended) of Charlie's disease.
Charlie listens to Wagner's "Funeral March" on his commute to a calm job (out of necessity) at the public library, and his co-workers have mastered the art of assisting in keeping Charlie thinking non-happy thoughts. As tends to happen in life, love finds a way. Charlie crosses paths with Francesca (Morena Baccarin), a spirited woman who appears to be Charlie's opposite in most every way ... making the attraction even stronger. At a first date to a community theatre where a one-man show titled "Great Depression" is playing, we get the full effect of the challenges Charlie faces.
Cooper (Jake Lacy), Charlie's younger brother, has been his main support system for most of his life - which is even more remarkable when we get the story of how Cooper got his name. When things fizzle between Francesca and Charlie, Cooper swoops in to date her and they set up Charlie with Bethany (a brilliantly funny Melissa Rauch). Bethany's own quirks seem to be a good fit, even if Charlie's torch for Francesca still flickers. Surely you've never seen an oboe sing-a-long to the Cranberries "Zombie", and if somehow you have, it likely pales in comparison to the one Ms. Rauch performs.
The laughs are many, yet the script and Freeman's performance remain respectful to the disease and those who suffer from it. Jane Curtin appears as Francesca's Aunt who is cancer-stricken, and no, the purpose wasn't to show a disease worse than cataplexy, but rather to show we all have challenges in life - and how we deal determines the type of person we are. The story was inspired by a segment on Chicago TV's "This American Life". It's a delightful (if you can get over the use of a genetic disease as comedy fodder) little gem that I caught at the 2019 Dallas International Film Festival, and hopefully it will find an audience.
Charlie listens to Wagner's "Funeral March" on his commute to a calm job (out of necessity) at the public library, and his co-workers have mastered the art of assisting in keeping Charlie thinking non-happy thoughts. As tends to happen in life, love finds a way. Charlie crosses paths with Francesca (Morena Baccarin), a spirited woman who appears to be Charlie's opposite in most every way ... making the attraction even stronger. At a first date to a community theatre where a one-man show titled "Great Depression" is playing, we get the full effect of the challenges Charlie faces.
Cooper (Jake Lacy), Charlie's younger brother, has been his main support system for most of his life - which is even more remarkable when we get the story of how Cooper got his name. When things fizzle between Francesca and Charlie, Cooper swoops in to date her and they set up Charlie with Bethany (a brilliantly funny Melissa Rauch). Bethany's own quirks seem to be a good fit, even if Charlie's torch for Francesca still flickers. Surely you've never seen an oboe sing-a-long to the Cranberries "Zombie", and if somehow you have, it likely pales in comparison to the one Ms. Rauch performs.
The laughs are many, yet the script and Freeman's performance remain respectful to the disease and those who suffer from it. Jane Curtin appears as Francesca's Aunt who is cancer-stricken, and no, the purpose wasn't to show a disease worse than cataplexy, but rather to show we all have challenges in life - and how we deal determines the type of person we are. The story was inspired by a segment on Chicago TV's "This American Life". It's a delightful (if you can get over the use of a genetic disease as comedy fodder) little gem that I caught at the 2019 Dallas International Film Festival, and hopefully it will find an audience.
"A Deadly Crescendo"
Kamurai2512 January 2021
Really good watch, would watch again, and can recommend.
The concept of living a life without "joy" is intriguing, but it doesn't feel like a very cinematic story as a concept. The movie takes great pains to try to compensate for this. I believe the casting definitely helped here.
And sure I understand guys fainting at the thought of being with Morena Baccin, but I'm not about to kick Melissa Rauch out of bed either. Both ladies brought their abilities to the roles excellently.
While the movie is fun, the motives are rather crossed and you're forced to try to think a bit more than you normally would as the story lends towards you thinking like he thinks to understand a bit better.
Overall a great little love story though.
The concept of living a life without "joy" is intriguing, but it doesn't feel like a very cinematic story as a concept. The movie takes great pains to try to compensate for this. I believe the casting definitely helped here.
And sure I understand guys fainting at the thought of being with Morena Baccin, but I'm not about to kick Melissa Rauch out of bed either. Both ladies brought their abilities to the roles excellently.
While the movie is fun, the motives are rather crossed and you're forced to try to think a bit more than you normally would as the story lends towards you thinking like he thinks to understand a bit better.
Overall a great little love story though.
Watched it in Taipei Golden Horse film festival
laylaytfg9 November 2019
Not much joy in the ode
TheTruthofItIs19 November 2019
Warning: Spoilers
This film plays more like a Lifetime/Oxygen movie for femmes. Guys will watch for one reason: Morena Baccarin, though you won't see her in or near undress, in fact, she kind of has a "mom body" now. Martin Freeman as "Charlie" isn't cast well for this role though his character is an undermining jerk who uses his disease as a wedge to split his brother's budding relationship due to his own jealousy is similar to other roles he's played. In the end, this is a love story with a predictable and lazy happy ending so it disappoints on several levels.
Very enjoyable
starbright_lili10 August 2019
I'm suprised by the negative reviews but to each their own I guess. I thought it was a sweet movie I saw it at ifc center in a very small theatre and it was nice ,other people seem to enjoy it too. It's not perfect ,I didn't love the scene when Charlie and Francesca first meet ,it was a bit ott but overall it was enjoyable. To people in real life with narcolepsy/ cataplexy I can't imagine living with this illness and I don't think they made your illness a joke. I really felt for his character's situation it's not all laughs.
FYI: to earlier comments that cataplexy doesn't cause narcolepsy,and that its a symptom. That was a mistake in the description that was corrected. In the movie they state that he has narcolepsy with cataplexy so it makes it clear that it is a symptom that not everyone with narcolepsy has and that it's not necessarily the same for everyone with the illness.
FYI: to earlier comments that cataplexy doesn't cause narcolepsy,and that its a symptom. That was a mistake in the description that was corrected. In the movie they state that he has narcolepsy with cataplexy so it makes it clear that it is a symptom that not everyone with narcolepsy has and that it's not necessarily the same for everyone with the illness.
I spat out my vodka
artie-7834924 February 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I spat out my vodka at the mountain lion scene so that's a 7, Otherwise a total fantasy movie.
It would never happen in real life so ... ....................................................................................................
It would never happen in real life so ... ....................................................................................................
I couldn't connect with Charlie
michelletwomey20 September 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Martin Freeman (who I love as an actor) played the part of Charlie, a man with a serious neurological condition that makes him lose consciousness when he's overcome by strong emotions - primarily joy and happiness. So this puts a spanner in his love life. Along comes the beautiful Francesca (played by Morena Baccarin). Charlie falls for her, but pushes her away as he can't see how they could possibly have a future together.
I wish I could have enjoyed this more but, what blew it for me is that Charlie wasn't that nice a person to be honest. Yes, he was living with a condition that dominated his life and completely limited him in so many ways, but he proved to be unkind and cynical at times, manipulating both his brother (who was frankly a bit of an a-hole - at least until the end) and also his 'girlfriend' Bethany - a girl he chose to date as she had the kind of personality that wouldn't stir any overwhelming emotions in him.
I couldn't connect with Charlie at all, especially as the film progressed. Bethany was just portrayed as a bit of a weirdo in the film and treated as a figure of fun. There was no development of her character whatsoever, no insight into her background and why she was the way she was. I felt that there was something quite mean-spirited about Charlie's treatment of her. The film was all about Charlie getting his happy ending at the end of the day and it all felt a bit too shallow to me to be honest. Although I like Martin Freeman's other stuff and I thought Morena Baccarin was lovely in this film, I'm afraid I wouldn't recommend it at all. I just felt very unsatisfied by the end of it.
I wish I could have enjoyed this more but, what blew it for me is that Charlie wasn't that nice a person to be honest. Yes, he was living with a condition that dominated his life and completely limited him in so many ways, but he proved to be unkind and cynical at times, manipulating both his brother (who was frankly a bit of an a-hole - at least until the end) and also his 'girlfriend' Bethany - a girl he chose to date as she had the kind of personality that wouldn't stir any overwhelming emotions in him.
I couldn't connect with Charlie at all, especially as the film progressed. Bethany was just portrayed as a bit of a weirdo in the film and treated as a figure of fun. There was no development of her character whatsoever, no insight into her background and why she was the way she was. I felt that there was something quite mean-spirited about Charlie's treatment of her. The film was all about Charlie getting his happy ending at the end of the day and it all felt a bit too shallow to me to be honest. Although I like Martin Freeman's other stuff and I thought Morena Baccarin was lovely in this film, I'm afraid I wouldn't recommend it at all. I just felt very unsatisfied by the end of it.
Comedy with tears
ks-605003 September 2019
Hope to the hopeless.
JustSayingKOA23 April 2022
I admit it, I only watched this because Morena was in it and I really loved watching her in the Endgame currently out. The concept is interesting, though if that condition is real, there should be a medication to suppress it as they do for depression which is the opposite. Then thinking about it, it's similar to Narcolepsy but triggered when you're happy...so couldn't they take medication for that condition since the symptoms are same? Falling asleep when happy, that is deadly to any intimate relationship. Well if you like watching unattractive men get girls way above their reach, this is the show for you. Everyone needs a little hope once and a while, gives hope to the hopeless...for the length of the runtime anyhow.
Special for its subject matter
GreenGableViews20 August 2021
I thought this was going to be kinda dumb, and gimmicky, and it was, BUT as it turns out, as a disabled person myself, I rather enjoyed much of it.
I know what it's like to build your entire life, your every MOMENT, around your disease and its symptoms; and how hard it is to explain what that feels like to someone who hasn't lived the reality. I know what it's like when others need to accommodate you and how humiliating it can be. I know what it's like to have the acceptance and love of family, and the judgements of strangers. And I know what it's like to try to build and maintain a relationship when this disability is looming above you. Because you're asking someone else to, by proxy, be disabled as well. Because they will also need to change their lives, be aware every day of some disease that neither of you asked for, but must face nonetheless.
At the end of the day, it's an average rom-com. Nothing particularly special in terms of story beats, musical score, dialogue, etc. And our main character definitely makes some questionable choices. No one is particularly fleshed out here.
But what IS special is that it's about a disabled person. We don't get many - if any - romantic comedies about people like us. Whatever your disability is, it doesn't really matter, because you'll find something to relate to.
I won't give away spoilers but I will say this - the short scene that plays after some of the credits roll very well represented what it is like when you are in a long term relationship with one partner disabled and the other able-bodied.
Everyone deserves love. No one should feel they don't deserve it or can't have it because of conditions they can't control. And this film is a lovely little reminder of that.
I know what it's like to build your entire life, your every MOMENT, around your disease and its symptoms; and how hard it is to explain what that feels like to someone who hasn't lived the reality. I know what it's like when others need to accommodate you and how humiliating it can be. I know what it's like to have the acceptance and love of family, and the judgements of strangers. And I know what it's like to try to build and maintain a relationship when this disability is looming above you. Because you're asking someone else to, by proxy, be disabled as well. Because they will also need to change their lives, be aware every day of some disease that neither of you asked for, but must face nonetheless.
At the end of the day, it's an average rom-com. Nothing particularly special in terms of story beats, musical score, dialogue, etc. And our main character definitely makes some questionable choices. No one is particularly fleshed out here.
But what IS special is that it's about a disabled person. We don't get many - if any - romantic comedies about people like us. Whatever your disability is, it doesn't really matter, because you'll find something to relate to.
I won't give away spoilers but I will say this - the short scene that plays after some of the credits roll very well represented what it is like when you are in a long term relationship with one partner disabled and the other able-bodied.
Everyone deserves love. No one should feel they don't deserve it or can't have it because of conditions they can't control. And this film is a lovely little reminder of that.
Thank you for listening
mtosatto-4150229 July 2019
Enjoyable
steve_heathfield29 December 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Storyline isn't the greatest, but it is funny in places and has a nice premise, if a bit unbelievable. Letting your brother go out with the girl you love so you can be sadand not go to sleep - is a little much. However, that said I didn't regret watching the film hence 6/10
that phantom of the opera skit
ok-patrick9 August 2019
-the world shall know compassion to me
-oh terrible creature of darkness what kind of life have you known
Despite widespread triggers from the afflicted, there is guilty comedic pleasure in the situations depicted with a heartwarming overall tone.
Quality romcoms, even with a serious diagnosis as this, are hard to get by nowadays. Definitely have a go at it.
Despite widespread triggers from the afflicted, there is guilty comedic pleasure in the situations depicted with a heartwarming overall tone.
Quality romcoms, even with a serious diagnosis as this, are hard to get by nowadays. Definitely have a go at it.
Vapid and disappointing
Lee-10723 July 2021
Isn't the whole point of a movie to side with the protagonist? More so in a movie in which the lead has a chronic disease? But somehow this movie accomplishes in making you feel the opposite. I watched this movie only and ONLY for Martin Freeman, who I absolutely adore and love. But, god, his character is so unlikeable. He uses both his brother and his girlfriend and yet never really apologizes for using them. And doesn't have to face any consequences for using them.
All the characters are one-note: Charlie's the one with the disease, brother's the stereotypical handsome dummy who can't sustain a simple conversation with a woman, girlfriend's portrayed as a total weirdo, grandma's quirky, and all Francesca is, is "a total fox." I kid you not, over 5 times in the movie, we're told how hot Francesca is. Everyone - the brother, the dinner friend, the grandma - everyone comments on her looks. Like we get it; we get it, writers of 'Ode to Joy,' that your definition of a good looking woman is someone who's slim and sexy, because you keep hammering it to us over and over again, even going so far as to add (for a few chuckles, no doubt) that it's weird that the brother finds Rachel Ray attractive when he should find Giada de Laurentis attractive (who's much slimmer and svelte than Rachel Ray). Tell me you're fatphobic without telling me you're fatphobic...
Oh my god, this movie is so vapid. Gah! I expected so much more from a movie titled 'Ode to Joy' because I love simple, slice-of-life stories. I was expecting something nuanced, tender, believable, and I got this. I don't know if this was a paycheck movie for Martin Freeman, but I sure hope it was just that, because this is just disappointing...
All the characters are one-note: Charlie's the one with the disease, brother's the stereotypical handsome dummy who can't sustain a simple conversation with a woman, girlfriend's portrayed as a total weirdo, grandma's quirky, and all Francesca is, is "a total fox." I kid you not, over 5 times in the movie, we're told how hot Francesca is. Everyone - the brother, the dinner friend, the grandma - everyone comments on her looks. Like we get it; we get it, writers of 'Ode to Joy,' that your definition of a good looking woman is someone who's slim and sexy, because you keep hammering it to us over and over again, even going so far as to add (for a few chuckles, no doubt) that it's weird that the brother finds Rachel Ray attractive when he should find Giada de Laurentis attractive (who's much slimmer and svelte than Rachel Ray). Tell me you're fatphobic without telling me you're fatphobic...
Oh my god, this movie is so vapid. Gah! I expected so much more from a movie titled 'Ode to Joy' because I love simple, slice-of-life stories. I was expecting something nuanced, tender, believable, and I got this. I don't know if this was a paycheck movie for Martin Freeman, but I sure hope it was just that, because this is just disappointing...
Delightful comedy
IndieFan858 April 2019
Sweet and hilarious romantic comedy about a man trying to avoid love by making a pact with his brother. Brisk pacing. Great performances all around. Martin Freeman is simply charming and Melissa Rauch steals the show. Audience was laughing throughout.
ode to meh
juneebuggy10 April 2020
This was a nothing sort of movie not very romantic or funny and left zero lasting impressions on me. About the only reason to watch this would be for Martin Freeman who is always good even in something as off key as this.
He plays "Charlie' a New Yorker with (a perfect accent) and a rare disorder that causes him to lose control of his muscles/feint whenever he is overcome by strong emotions. -Its a strange idea for a movie. Charlie has developed several techniques to suppress his feelings, which all go by the wayside when he falls for the beautiful Morena Baccarin. Let the shenanigans ensue.
He plays "Charlie' a New Yorker with (a perfect accent) and a rare disorder that causes him to lose control of his muscles/feint whenever he is overcome by strong emotions. -Its a strange idea for a movie. Charlie has developed several techniques to suppress his feelings, which all go by the wayside when he falls for the beautiful Morena Baccarin. Let the shenanigans ensue.
Lovely film
sawadee-6865411 April 2019
Misinformation Hurts
ephvv8 April 2019
Cute idea for a comedy. Too bad it's all wrong. Cataplexy doesn't cause narcolepsy, it is a SYMPTOM of narcolepsy that some of us have and some don't. Narcolepsy is a disorder where the most troublesome symptom is excessive daytime exhaustion (an average day for a person with narcolepsy is equal to a healthy person who hasn't slept for 2 to 3 days). Another symptom is insomnia at night. And no, going to bed earlier won't make us less tired during the day because of the insomnia as well as the fact that even when we do sleep our sleep stages are mixed up and in some cases (mine included) even when we are asleep part of our brain is still awake so even after a full night's sleep we feel like we have pulled an all nighter because part of our brain HAS.There are already too many misconceptions out there without you adding more. Too many people believe lies about narcolepsy and these lies lead to false accusations of laziness, hurtful comments from people, failed marriages, lack of understanding from bosses and coworkers, and many other problems that add to the misery of having a chronic illness. And now there is yet another movie making things even worse for us
Holy .... this was awful
elenaphysics19 September 2019
Warning: Spoilers
I like action movies but I often watch this kind of movies too. I find them relaxing and happy. This movie is awful. The reason I gave it 3 stars instread of zero is because I managed to watch it. Usually I put 1 star for totally unwatchable hideous monstrous movies. But this one is quite close.
No plot. And the basic "plot" is unrealistic as hell.
Very flat characters, doing weird things, why would someone want to create this kind of atmosphere?
The basic characters have zero chemistry. Zero. I am not familiar with this disease but I found it interesting that they made a movie dealing with this. But in the end it was not anything special. I feel that I have seen this scenario again and again and again (except that ALL the times before it was better) .
I don't know how they convinced good actors to participate in this movie.
Did they threaten them? Or did they make them an offer they can't refuse?
Once upon a time there were real movies. Not all of them were good. Some of them were awfully bad. But at least they had a point. Now they make new movies all the time without any point. Why would I watch this? Why did I watch this? All I know is that I lost some time of my life so that you guys won't have to endure this pretentious stupid movie.
Funny, romantic, beautiful.
mohammedasalim23 August 2019
This movie is the best romantic / comedy i have seen in years. It has the laughs, the comedy, the romance, but also it will reach and touch your heart with it's original story.
Perfect casting and great acting, i give this movie 10/10.
Don't waste your time!
pat-797-86901520 December 2019
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