The Tic Code (1998)

75% of critics liked it
(28 reviews)
71% of users liked it
(347 ratings)

Actress Polly Draper, best known for her role on the TV series thirtysomething, wrote and co-produced this family drama, as well as playing the female lead. Draper plays Laura, a single mother whose ten-year-old son Miles (Christopher Marquette) is already displaying a remarkable gift as a jazz… More Actress Polly Draper, best known for her role on the TV series thirtysomething, wrote and co-produced this family drama, as well as playing the female lead. Draper plays Laura, a single mother whose ten-year-old son Miles (Christopher Marquette) is already displaying a remarkable gift as a jazz pianist. However, Miles suffers from a mild case Tourette's Syndrome, a disorder that's not life threatening but causes victims to display a series of pronounced physical and facial tics, as well as occasional emotional outbursts. Miles makes friends with two bartenders at a jazz club, who let the kid sneak in to see shows and eventually introduce him to acclaimed jazz saxophonist Tyrone Pike (Gregory Hines). It seems Tyrone and Miles have something in common -- Tyrone also has Tourette's, but unlike Miles he's learned to disguise his condition with a variety of mannerisms, and prefers not to discuss the matter. Tension develops between the two when Tyrone and Laura develop a mutual attraction, which creates tension between the two musicians and forces Tyrone to confront some personal issues he's spent much of his life avoiding. The Tic Code was shown at the Vancouver Reel to Real Festival, the Berlin Film Festival, the Hamptons Film Festival and the Giffoni Film Festival in 1999 before its run on the Starz! premium cable service. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 30 min.
Directed By: Gary Winick
Written By: Polly Draper
Genres: Art House & International, Drama

In Theaters: Jun 1, 1998 Wide
On DVD: Aug 21, 2003
Studio: Universal Studios Home Video

Critic Reviews

Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times
Starts out self-consciously but gets better as it goes along, winding up as affecting as it is illuminating.
John Petrakis, Chicago Tribune
The Tic Code works better as a sociological study than as a gripping drama. And during this summer of our discontent, that may be recommendation enough.
Stephen Holden, New York Times
Ms. Draper's taut, self-effacing, extremely quiet performance is the best thing about the movie.
Hannah Brown, New York Post
Raising it above the usual clichés are the superb jazz music and a sparkling script by lead actress Polly Draper.
Jay Carr, Boston Globe
It's got more genuine-seeming feelings and a more accurate take on its particular corner of the world than a colosseum of summer blockbusters.
Tom Keogh, Film.com
This is the loving accomplishment of The Tic Code, to open a door onto the deepest kind of understanding.
Jaime N. Christley, Apollo Guide
Egrossing, entertaining, and thoroughly conventional.
Leah Beth Reisman, Citysearch
While far from terrible, The Tic Code ultimately lacks the sophistication that separates a feature-length film from a TV movie-of-the-week.
Gregory Weinkauf, New Times
A cut above most.
Cynthia Fuchs, Philadelphia City Paper
What makes the film engaging are the performances ... appealing secondary characters ... and occasional interventions into its soap operatic formula.
Maitland McDonagh, TV Guide's Movie Guide
An afterschool special in all but name.
Erik Lundegaard, Seattle Times
For me, it's just a little too restrained, with too many false notes.

Read all 12 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Cynthia S

Intelligent, uplifting story. Great acting. Realistic portrayal of Tourettes Syndrome by a very talented young actor. Great music. All around nice movie....good send off for the late Gregory Hines.