Ode to Joy
Ode to Joy

Ode to Joy

2019Movie97 minEnglish

Charlie suffers from a serious disease that causes acute narcolepsy whenever he is happy. Although he develops a variety of techniques to deny himself pleasure and deal with his sleep issues, they’re put to the test when he falls in love.

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Insights

IMDb5.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes39%
Metacritic45/100
Google Users56%
Director: Jason WinerGenres: Comedy, Romance

Plot Summary

Charlie, a young man battling with a unique form of mental illness that causes him to hear music when he experiences strong emotions, finds himself drawn to Brooklyn. There, he meets the beautiful and free-spirited Francesca, who is seemingly unfazed by his condition. As their relationship blossoms, Charlie must navigate the complexities of his condition and learn to trust Francesca with his deepest vulnerabilities.

Critical Reception

Ode to Joy received a generally mixed to negative reception from critics, with many finding its premise intriguing but its execution lacking. While some appreciated the chemistry between the leads and the film's attempt at a unique romantic comedy, others criticized its uneven tone and underdeveloped plot points. Audience reception was also divided.

What Reviewers Say

  • The film boasts a charming lead performance from Martin Freeman.
  • The unique premise of hearing music with emotions is interesting but not fully explored.
  • The chemistry between the leads is a highlight, but the story falters in its execution.

Google audience: Audience reviews often highlight the likable performances of the main actors, particularly Martin Freeman and Morena Baccarin. However, many viewers found the film to be somewhat predictable and wished for a more original or impactful storyline, with some finding the humor to be hit-or-miss.

Awards & Accolades

None notable.

Fun Fact

The film's unique premise of hearing music with emotions is a fictionalized interpretation of synesthesia, a neurological condition where stimulation of one sensory or cognitive pathway leads to involuntary experiences in a second sensory or cognitive pathway.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
Kamurai

Kamurai

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. ...