Ode to Joy
2019 · Movie · R · 97 min · ★ 6.2 · 42% critics
A man lives with a condition that makes him suddenly fall asleep whenever he feels happy, so he builds strict routines to avoid pleasure and keep life under control. Those coping tricks get challenged when he starts to fall in love and has to decide how much joy he can risk.
Also known as Joy · The Pursuit of Unhappiness
Where to watch
Streaming on AMC+, IFC Films and Sundance Now.
2 hours to watch.
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Details
- Years
- 2019
- Release date
- 2019-09-08
- Language
- English
- Rated
- R
- Runtime
- 97 min
- Critic score
- 42/100
- TMDB rating
- 6.2/10 (130 votes)
About
You’ll likely enjoy this if you want a light, quirky romantic comedy with a heartfelt hook and a mostly predictable path, similar in vibe to Friends with Benefits; Not for you if you dislike rom-com clichés or want big laughs.
Pros: quirky central premise; sweet love story; easy afternoon watch | Cons: predictable beats; uneven comedy; muddled character motives
Themes
- breast cancer
- tough love
- troubled relationship
- librarian
- neurology
- catalepsy
- brother brother relationship
- love story
Cast & crew
Martin Freeman
as Charlie
Morena Baccarin
as Francesca
Jake Lacy
as Cooper
Melissa Rauch
as Bethany
Shannon Woodward
as Liza
Ellis Rubin
as Victor
Jane Curtin
as Aunt Sylvia
Adam Shapiro
as Marvin
Jackie Seiden
as Jan
Ravi Cabot-Conyers
as Deangelo
Directed by Jason Winer