The Tic Code (1998) User Reviews

Thank you for making this movie...

[RashomonLaStrada · 8/10 · 4 July 2005]

This movie meant a great deal to me. I have Tourrette Syndrome -- no two cases are alike and the way it impacts each life is different -- but the two Tourretters in the story humanized the funny movements and grimaces that have been with me all my life. I didn't get a correct diagnosis until I was 30 and then chose to not take medication so I can keep my personality.

It would be great if the filmmakers come across this. I'd like them to know how much this meant to me (and I'm sure lots of other people with Tourrettes and their families).

Plus, it was nice that Gregory Hines got this multifaceted role to play -- I will miss him, he was a performer with class. And BTW isn't it nice that there are still a few movies about human beings without things blowing up or bimbos taking off their clothes?

A film with a heart and some good jazz

[=G= · 7/10 · 7 September 2001]

"The Tic Code" tells of a boy (Marquette) with Tourette's syndrome who plays jazz piano and makes friends with a professional sax player (Hines) who also has the affliction. A well crafted, earnest, and honest effort, the film would appear to be a labor of love as, according to IMDB.com info, Draper, who wrote the screenplay and played the boy's mother, is married to a jazz musician with Tourette's (who has a bit part in the movie). The film features solid performances by all with an exceptional job by Marquette, some good jazz music, and insights into the tic fraught life. Unfortunately, The Tic Code is not likely to be as commercially successful as it should because Tourette's pales in comparison with terminal cancer, for example, and will likely seem little more than a mildly troublesome disorder to a jaded public. Kudos to all who supported this worthy project.

a heartfelt labor of love

[Rogue-32 · 8/10 · 13 August 2002]

Polly Draper (who wrote this and co-stars) can be truly proud of this effort, a beautiful and deeply felt labor of love. Brilliant performances from the always-sublime Gregory Hines and Chris Marquette, who portrays the young Miles with breathtaking believability; he does not hit a false note in the entire movie, and his scenes are not easy, which is an understatement. Never wallowing in sentimentality, the film maintains a gritty, soulful tone throughout. Highly recommended.

Hits home like no movie I've ever seen

[joey-47 · 30 August 2001]

You've got to admire a director who can take real life and keep it real on the big screen, and at the same time produce a wonderful, funny and touching film.

With The Tic Code, Gary Winick has done just that. This will be the most realistic movie about Tourette's Syndrome you will ever see. It totally hit home as I was constantly reminded of my childhood. Other kids laughing and making fun, and me feeling alienated because of my supposed abnormality. This movie does a great job in displaying people's ignorance about the subject. Those who have simply seen the episode of L.A. Law which featured a witness with severe Tourette's, don't know the story. If you see this movie, you'll be all the wiser, and you'll be treated to a great film at the same time.

This movie gets 4 stars.

Still gives me the shivers . . . That good.

[moses-11 · 9/10 · 9 June 1999]

Which would you rather: Titanic or The Tic Code? They were both on at the same time, and I chose the latter, a made for premium cable movie, which means it will be available for rental sooner or later. If you like good acting and good jazz, this one's for you. The kid is amazing in his portrayal of a kid (go figure) with Tourette's. It's your typical 'freaks are people too' movie, but that doesn't mean it's not good. It's very well done. It intrigues me that maybe Thelonious Monk had Tourette's too. He's probably my favorite pianist. OK, take out the probably. But I saw that this is listed under the "children's" genre. Not that I'm saying it isn't good for kids, but it's also good for adults. By the way, watch all the way to the end of the credits. It's worth it.

Jazz, love, growing up and Turrett's mix quite well.

[wally-4 · 10/10 · 8 April 1999]

Set against a jazz background in New York City, this is one of those wonderful little films that make chasing films in the video store or on cable worth the effort. The principles are all excellent and the supporting cast is superb. And it has it all; humour, pathos, love, drama, even belly laughs. There is a feeling for music, jazz and individuals that is reminiscent of some 80's films out of Canada.

The jazz player

[jotix100 · 8/10 · 19 July 2005]

Polly Draper must be congratulated for writing the screen play in which this film is based. Tourette Syndrome is something most people have no idea what it's all about, yet when one sees someone who suffers from it, one has no clue what the disease does to the sufferer.

Gary Winick has directed a film that dares to put out front a young boy who has TS and has to deal with the prejudice he encounters in his own world. It also presents a talented saxophonist that is also afflicted with the syndrome and how these two people form a bond that is based on mutual respect and their love for the music that they both love: Jazz!

Gregory Hines, a fantastic performer and a great all around talent, is Tyrone the sax player. Chris Marquette plays the young boy Miles whose love for the music helps him deal with the Tourette that afflicts him. Polly Drape, as Laura, Miles' mother, has some good moments in the film. Bill Nunn, Tony Shalhoub, Carol Kane, Desmond Robertson have supporting roles.

The musical score for the film is excellent. We hear some of the best jazz musicians creating some exciting music in the background and we get to see their world as well. The film will warm your heart.

Loved it!

[DGalla · 8 April 1999]

I saw this movie last night, missed the beginning, but came into it about 1/2 hour into it. I absolutely loved it. I thought Gregory Hines and Polly Draper had such on screen charisma. The story was really touching too. It made me want to read more about the effects of Tourette's Syndrome. I can't wait to see it again. I also loved the music from it and will look for a soundtrack.

A must see film

[littlebear2you · 8/10 · 18 August 2005]

This film addresses a very serious disability that must people do not understand while providing some really good music. It shows the difference of someone who is growing up excepting this disability vs. an adult who has grown up not addressing. Through the mother is a little on the side of not addressing the seriousness of her son's struggles she provides a good positive role model for him.

All-in-all, this is a very well done movie. I would recommend this film for parents of kids with any disability as it is very real in the way it shows how one parent leaves the scene so he won't have to deal with the stigma of his son. I think the scene where the son comes clean with his mother about his visit with his father is very touching.

Academy Award Performance by Christopher Marquette

[JR-80 · 10/10 · 8 April 1999]

Chris Marquette's portrayal as Miles, a 12 year old musically gifted boy with tourette's syndrome, is nothing short of an academy award. A genuinely superb performance in his remarkably unique skills and poise as he masters each scene with precise brilliance and realism. The natural acting talent by this young actor is something to absolutely admire and his grainy and full dimensional performance is so captivating that you actually feel his emotions (pain, despair, sadness, rejection, anger and happiness) as you watch this film.

The film should click with family audience since its about overcoming personal obstacles, enjoying life, and helping each other. Director Gary Winick provides a frothy mix of lifelike tones and never allows the story to desolve into schmaltz or wallow in atonal sap by making it far more lively and less schematic than the standard disease-o-the-week scenario. Great plot and development through the film.

Thoughts from a Touretter's perspective

[choccobo · 2 September 2000]

I was late to this movie and only caught the last half, so I stayed at the theater and watched it again.

On the surface, it is a well-acted, poignant story of a single mom, her son with TS, and her romance with a man with TS. Both guys are brilliant jazz musicians. Much of the film is about the pains of coping with TS (with occasional bright spots), and the tics and emotions are very realistic. However, anybody could easily substitute TS with an affliction that constantly causes ridicule, isolation, anger, and bitterness, and embarrassment; an affliction that prevents a person from living a so-called "normal" life.

As a 24-year-old Touretter, the movie just struck me right to the heart, because I was watching myself on film. (The part when the kid faces his father hit me the most.) I could see myself in all three characters: a mother who is frustrated and helpless at helping her son cope with TS (my fears of having kids w/TS), a talented young boy and his self-hatred and despair from having this uncontrollable condition, and the older man and his refusal to confront decades of being thought of as a "weirdo."

I admit that I was crying for most of both showings. TS is by no means the worst medical problem in the world, but its internal conflicts can be very destructive, and they are usually invisible to the outside world, which is quite an ironic juxtaposition to its obvious visible traits (the tics, and the excess and often humorous/gifted energy). This movie does a good job of showing what Touretter's face every single day.

On the 45-mile drive home afterwards, I was just numb. Maybe I was all cried out. Or maybe it was a brief catharsis. Or, maybe, I just wanted some... peace, before the next storm of tics.

-d.

An informative, compassionate look at life with Tourettes' Syndrome!

[Linneamcg · 21 September 2002]

Polly Draper deserves accolades for this incredible movie! She manages to give viewers a look at what life is like for those of us with TS (Tourettes' Syndrome) without getting maudlin. I discovered as an adult that I had TS when I took my sons to the neurologist because of their tics. It was almost a relief to know that there was a medical reason for the odd movements and noises I made growing up. Watching what this family goes through because of TS brought me to tears many times during the movie. I saw Miles go through the same physical and emotional traumas that I've seen my own sons go through daily in public. Well meaning but uninformed people have made some very hurtful comments about my childrens' tics. Fortunately for my sons TS is better understood than when I was a child. This movie gives a true portrayel of the ramifications TS has on a family. The increased stress, the friction between the parents, parents and school personnel, not to mention the heartbreak of having a loved one picked on or made fun of because they are different. She touched on a lot of the problems TS can cause but managed to show that TS can also have good consequences. Increased creativity, more energy, compassion for others who are different - these are the highlights. I recommend this movie to anyone with a family member with TS. Not only does it shed some light on the Syndrome, but it is full of great jazz music. Last but not least, Gregory Hines and Christopher George Marquette gave stunning physical performances.

Touching film

[AKS-6 · 15 March 2001]

The Tic Code is a touching drama about a boy who suffers from Tourette's syndrome, his mother who tries to support her son and a jazz musician who also is afflicted with TS. The film is heart-rending to watch, especially the scenes where the boy tries to understand why his father has abandoned him. In the centre of the film is an absolutely brilliant performance by Chris Marquette as the boy. An astonishing performance.

Tourette's syndrome has also been the focus of Jonathan Lethem's great novel Motherless Brooklyn, which is a novel I recommend, even though it is nothing like this film.

(6/10)

Putting a face on Tourette's Syndrome affectively

[george.schmidt · 28 April 2004]

THE TIC CODE (2000) **1/2 Polly Draper, Gregory Hines, Christopher George Marquette, Desmond Robertson, Carol Kane, Tony Shalhoub, Bill Nunn, Fisher Stevens, Robert Iler, Camryn Manheim. Affective character study of a young boy (newcomer Marquette in a remarkable display of natural acting) whose undeniable prodigious musical talent is only marred by his ongoing struggle with Tourette's Syndrome with the support of his strong-spirited single mother (Draper very good, who also wrote the screenplay) and the jazz saxophone player (Hines, equally exemplary) who enters their lives who also shares the affliction.

Smartly written and presented with a nice flow of direction until the final moments that feel overwrought. Draper based the storyline loosely on her husband Michael Wolff's own personal experience with the condition (the musician has a cameo and also scored the film) which adds another layer of conviction to the seriousness it is respected with. (Dir: Gary Winick)