Coda (2019 film)


Coda is a 2019 film starring Patrick Stewart, Katie Holmes, and Giancarlo Esposito about a concert pianist who suffers from performance anxiety late in his career. The film is written by Louis Godbout and directed by Claude Lalonde.
The film premiered at the 2019 International Film Festival of India.

Plot

Henry Cole is an acclaimed classical pianist at the twilight of his career. He returns to the stage after a long absence following the death of his wife only to discover that his performance is marred by stage fright and overall mental instability. He barely escapes catastrophe as he suffers an anxiety attack on stage, running outside after finishing a number and smoking a cigarette.
At a post-recital press conference, he meets Helen Morrison, a music critic for The New Yorker. She wants to write a story about him and unsuccessfully asks for an interview. They meet again a few days later at Steinway Hall, where Henry suffers another episode while attempting to perform. Helen joins him on the piano bench, rescuing him, thus earning his trust. Henry finally agrees to the interview.
Meanwhile, despite his agent Paul’s best efforts, Henry’s mental condition declines steadily. His recitals become more and more perilous, thus jeopardizing his comeback tour and his much anticipated and publicized final concert in London.
Henry is urged by Helen to travel to Sils-Maria in the Swiss Alps in order to hear another pianist she once knew, famous for the profound, mind-altering effect of his interpretation of the 2nd movement of Beethoven’s Sonata op. 111. At the beginning of his stay, Henry’s symptoms worsen and his final recital is in jeopardy. After some reflection, interacting with the hotel porter, and listening to the Sonata, Henry finally decides to leave and go to London for his recital.

Cast

The musical numbers in the film are performed by Ukrainian-born pianist Serhiy Salov, who also makes a cameo appearance.

Reception

gave the film 3 out of 4 stars, stating that Stewart is "perfectly cast and delivers strong, carved-from-Shakespeare work as Sir Henry Cole." Joe Leydon of Variety also gave a positive review, praising the acting and also how Godbout's screenplay avoided the usual cliches even if the narrative was predicable. A less favorable review came from John DeFore of The Hollywood Reporter, who states that "no single event is fatally implausible, perhaps, but taken together it doesn't ring true.""