Ode to Joy Parent Guide

Charlie (Martin Freeman) has a problem. “Being in a relationship is about being happy,” he gripes, “I can’t do that.” It’s not as if Charlie has psychological issues that prevent him from developing a healthy relationship. Charlie suffers from cataplexy and narcolepsy, related neurological disorders which cause him to lose muscle tone, fall down, and go to sleep involuntarily after feeling strong emotions – in Charlie’s case, joy.

Charlie has developed strategies to cope with his condition: he wears bland shirts so no-one will compliment his wardrobe, he listens to somber music as he walks to work so he won’t be cheered by cute babies or puppies, he recites depressing news stories to himself, and he never, ever falls in love. And then, one day, Francesca (Morena Baccarin) bursts into his life. Entranced by her vitality, Charlie takes a risk and asks her out. He hedges his bets by putting tacks in his socks and getting tickets to a gloomy play, but even that can’t stop the couple from developing a rapport. Flooded with happiness, Charlie collapses and winds up in hospital. Fearing further humiliation, Charlies decides to give up on love forever…but Francesca is a difficult woman to forget.

Ode to Joy is a light-hearted, quirky movie with many of the standard rom-com tropes: a meet-cute, opposites who attract, something to keep the lovers apart, and a goofy side kick (Charlie’s brother, Cooper, played by Jake Lacy). But the barrier keeping the couple apart is extremely unusual and Charlie’s coping strategies seem to automatically preclude happiness or romance. Instead of figuring out the plot twenty minutes ahead, I was left wondering how the story was going to resolve. Suspense in a rom-com is rare and when that is combined with charming performances by all the lead actors, it makes Ode to Joy an eminently watchable film.

Unfortunately, this entertaining production comes with its share of content issues, principally profanity and sexual content. There are several conversations containing sexual innuendo, a scene where a man pantomimes a sexual activity, and another scene involving fully clothed unmarried couples embracing passionately in bed. The film also contains 18 profanities, including three sexual expletives. This trio of sexual expletives is particularly unfortunate because they are the only reason I can see for the R-rating this film received. Were it not for these unfortunate swear words, Ode to Joy would sit comfortably at the high end of a PG-13 rating.

There are positive messages to be found in this production: family loyalty, making the best of your circumstances, and finding the courage to do what you fear. And these messages are embedded in a cheerful, effervescent story that bubbles with laughter. Ode to Joy might not fill audiences with joy, but it will certainly make them chuckle.