Ode to Joy

Ode to Joy is one strange little motion picture.

This movie is so charming, smart, and funny... This movie full of quirky people ultimately got me.

Instead of being a song to lift the heart, Ode to Joy is a discordant, off-key tune that lasts too long.

A plainly affable romantic comedy that's not too powerful with its romance, and certainly not its comedy.

Humorless to a paralyzing extent, this joyless effort illustrates how a bad-on-paper idea can turn into something cringe-inducing onscreen.

The movie was inspired by a real person but nearly everything that happens here plays as phony.

Ode to Joy is an uplifting, insightful story featuring impressive performances by Martin Freeman, Morena Baccarin and Melissa Rauch.

Ode to Joy doesn’t reinvent the romcom wheel, but it’s not even trying to. It’s a well-meaning, slight and amusing love story carried by the charisma of its two leads

Cataplexy, in turn, is more of a plot gimmick - a sad case of missed opportunity. Even the laughs are few and far between.

Ode to Joy doesn't really work as either an efficient comedy or drama (or even a bit of both), with the familiar beats and tropes lacking in any real thought.