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I watched three things recently that feature Deaf actors playing Deaf characters. This feels promising and I hope it continues.
CODA (Child of Deaf Adults)
A sweet family drama about Ruby, the lone hearing person in her family of 4. The family is close-- three of them work together on a fishing boat and Ruby's mom does the books. Ruby is often tasked with interpreting for the family. At school, Ruby decides to join the choir and she discovers a talent and passion for singing. This story could have gone angsty but it stays pretty light and sweet, as Ruby navigates her busy teenage life, feeling obligated to her family but wanting to follow her new passion. The family members are charming and hilarious; they enjoy some rude humor. The film is a bit over-long and deeply heterosexual but nonetheless recommended.
Hawkeye - Marvel mini-series, Disney Plus.
I absolutely loved this series, which combines the MCU Hawkeye story with the recent comics series by Fraction and Aja. Kate Bishop idolizes Hawkeye, and so when she meets him by chance, she wants to team up. He's kind of crabby and reluctant, is mourning Natasha, and would prefer to work alone, but Kate's life is tied up in the drama, and besides she's pretty good at being a hero. The story is funny and well-written. I watched all 6 episodes in one night. The Deaf actress, Alaqua Cox, plays Maya aka Echo. She is Native American and has a prosthetic leg. She was so awesome in this show, playing an antagonist who maybe doesn't have all the information she should have. A satisfying and fun story.
Eternals - Disney Plus.
This was overly long and boring, so I can't recommend it, but I did enjoy Deaf actress Lauren Ridloff as Makkari, who is inexplicably using ASL in 5000 BCE. I also liked Kumail Nanjiani. What a charming dude. Also has the first gay male couple in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
and to catch up on Marvel, I also watched...
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Disney Plus.
This was just So Much Fun. Hilarious, pretty to look at, good performances and a good story with an interesting villain. The fighting is stylized martial arts that is beautiful and interesting. There are bright colors and brilliant cameos. I'm often unsure about whether to find Awkwafina annoying or charming, but in this I really liked her. The cast is overwhelmingly Asian actors. Despite the title, there was a group of people who came together at the end to defeat the villain: Shang-Chi, his sister, his best friend, and his Aunt, among others. Highly recommended.
CODA (Child of Deaf Adults)
A sweet family drama about Ruby, the lone hearing person in her family of 4. The family is close-- three of them work together on a fishing boat and Ruby's mom does the books. Ruby is often tasked with interpreting for the family. At school, Ruby decides to join the choir and she discovers a talent and passion for singing. This story could have gone angsty but it stays pretty light and sweet, as Ruby navigates her busy teenage life, feeling obligated to her family but wanting to follow her new passion. The family members are charming and hilarious; they enjoy some rude humor. The film is a bit over-long and deeply heterosexual but nonetheless recommended.
Hawkeye - Marvel mini-series, Disney Plus.
I absolutely loved this series, which combines the MCU Hawkeye story with the recent comics series by Fraction and Aja. Kate Bishop idolizes Hawkeye, and so when she meets him by chance, she wants to team up. He's kind of crabby and reluctant, is mourning Natasha, and would prefer to work alone, but Kate's life is tied up in the drama, and besides she's pretty good at being a hero. The story is funny and well-written. I watched all 6 episodes in one night. The Deaf actress, Alaqua Cox, plays Maya aka Echo. She is Native American and has a prosthetic leg. She was so awesome in this show, playing an antagonist who maybe doesn't have all the information she should have. A satisfying and fun story.
Eternals - Disney Plus.
This was overly long and boring, so I can't recommend it, but I did enjoy Deaf actress Lauren Ridloff as Makkari, who is inexplicably using ASL in 5000 BCE. I also liked Kumail Nanjiani. What a charming dude. Also has the first gay male couple in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
and to catch up on Marvel, I also watched...
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Disney Plus.
This was just So Much Fun. Hilarious, pretty to look at, good performances and a good story with an interesting villain. The fighting is stylized martial arts that is beautiful and interesting. There are bright colors and brilliant cameos. I'm often unsure about whether to find Awkwafina annoying or charming, but in this I really liked her. The cast is overwhelmingly Asian actors. Despite the title, there was a group of people who came together at the end to defeat the villain: Shang-Chi, his sister, his best friend, and his Aunt, among others. Highly recommended.
