TOthe SAG Awards 2022 last night there were two surprises important. Jessica Chastain won Best Actress for Tammy Faye’s eyeswhen the forecasts were for sure Nicole Kidman.
And the victory of The signs of the heart – TAIL – available on Apple tv – of the premium Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture, when the actors of Belfast And Don’t look up they were there ready to take the stage. Best cast award that in the logic of prizes for the best interpretations awarded by actors members of the Screen Actors association, is equivalent to Best movie of the year.
Not only that, for the film about the emancipation of a girl (Emilia Jones) whose needs are neglected by her deaf-mute family (CODA stands for Child of Deaf Adult) – remake of the French The Bélier family by Sian Heder -, the Troy Kotsur Award for Best Supporting Actor.
Why are they two surprises? Because we are close to Oscar of March 27and the outcome of the SAGs is a strong indication of preference.
It must be said, however, that the pool of voters of the Academy Awards it is much wider, solicited by more macroscopic interests, therefore a total overturning of the predictions is not excluded. The fact is that CODA is the film to beat today, and that Apple Tvwho bought the distribution rights for $ 25 million after switching to Sundance Festival, is likely to win against Netflix. Which aims without euphemisms for the Best Film award for several years.
The signs of the heart – TAIL: the plot
In the deaf-mute family made up of dad Frank (Troy Kotsur), mom Jackie (Marlee Matlin) and Leo, Ruby Rossi (Emilia Jones) is the only one to hear. She is 17, she studies, acts as an interpreter for all communication between parents and society, and helps the family management of a fishing business in wasted time. Reason he is in school she is made fun of by her comrades. Overwhelmed by duties that are becoming unsustainable, the girl has the only passion for singing.
Emilia Jones, Troy Kotsur and Marlee Matlin. (Apple)
So he decides to sign up for the lessons by Bernardo Villalobos. Professor of music and singing who soon realizes his talent, and decides to help her audition at Berklee College of Music, Boston.
At this point the dilemma arises: leave the family to devote themselves to the voice, an interest that parents see as an insult to their condition, or stay?
The triumph at the SAG Awards and the Oscar hypothesis
It was not an easy task win against House of Gucci, Don’t Look Up And Belfast – compared to Lady Gaga, Meryl Streep, Al Pacino and Judi Dench, in the cast of CODA the only “famous” presence is that of Marlee Matlin. But the strength of the story and the talent of actors who are really deaf they evidently performed the miracle.
Dramatic comedya fairly delusional oxymoron, the film balances between the two genres without losing never the glittering force of coming-of-age stories, studded with obstacles, obstacles and painful choices. Whose vertex is always in hearing as a total sacrifice of time and affection. Starting from an unfavorable economic position but with more talent than the others, think of Billy Elliottbut also a Flashdance. And in the case of CODA with the addition of the disabled factor.
Of deafness not only effective but also metaphorical: Ruby has an identity to respect or is she alone in the service of the family?
The cast of CODA at the SAGs: Troy Kotsur, Sian Heder, Daniel Durant, Emilia Jones, Marlee Matlin and Eugenio Derbez. (Getty Images)
The welcome return of Marlee Matlin
Total deaf starting from 18 months (total in the right ear and 80 percent to the loss), Marlee became famous in 1986 thanks Children of a lesser Godthe film for which he won an Oscar and the heart of William Hurt. It still holds the record as the youngest Academy winner in that category, 21 years old.
Marlee Matlin with the 1987 Oscar for “Children of a Lesser God”.
After the success of the film and the story with William, finished shortly after, Matlin’s career continues prolifically but without peaks. In 1993 he returned to the news for his marriage to a policeman, followed by four children who make Marlee put aside commitments and presence. Until the case of The signs of the heart – TAILto the role of Jackie, cheerful mom and a little over the top of young Ruby.
On his role he declared: “It was the movie I dreamed of. Authentic in the storytelling and fun at the same time, with other deaf actors in real life like me. It is not “based on a true story” but many of the things that happen in this film exist in real life. I am a mother of four CODA so I knew very well some family dynamics, even the most surreal“.
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