"Every family has its own language."
CODA - Movie Quotes
Memorable Quotes
Did you ever wish I was deaf?
— Ruby Rossi (signing to Jackie)
Context:
During a heartfelt conversation, Ruby asks her mother this question. Jackie confesses that when Ruby was born, she prayed she would be deaf, fearing she wouldn't know how to be a good mother to a hearing child and that they wouldn't be able to connect.
Meaning:
This poignant question reveals Ruby's deep-seated feelings of being an outsider within her own family and her longing for a more complete connection with her mother. It encapsulates the emotional and cultural divide she has navigated her entire life.
Let them figure out how to deal with deaf people. We're not helpless.
— Leo Rossi (signing to Ruby)
Context:
Leo says this during an argument with Ruby, who is feeling overwhelmed by her role as the family's sole interpreter and bridge to the community. He is pushing back against her feeling that she has to solve all their problems.
Meaning:
This line is a powerful assertion of independence and a critique of the family's over-reliance on Ruby. Leo expresses his frustration with being underestimated and articulates the need for the hearing world to adapt to them, not the other way around.
Can you sing it for me?
— Frank Rossi (signing to Ruby)
Context:
After the school concert, which he could not hear, Frank finds Ruby outside. He asks her what the song she sang was about, and then makes this request, gently placing his hands on her neck as she sings "You're All I Need to Get By."
Meaning:
This is a pivotal moment of connection between father and daughter. By asking Ruby to sing for him, Frank is making a profound effort to understand and experience his daughter's passion in the only way he can—by feeling the vibrations. It signifies his acceptance and love.
Go.
— Frank Rossi
Context:
At the very end of the film, as Ruby is about to drive away to college, she shares an emotional goodbye with her family. Her father, Frank, vocalizes this word, giving her the final push she needs to start her new life.
Meaning:
This single spoken word, the only time we hear Frank's voice, is a powerful and emotional release. It is his ultimate act of love and support, giving Ruby his blessing to leave and pursue her dreams, free from guilt or obligation.