Ahead of its release next month, a poster and trailer have arrived online for IFC Films’ upcoming comedy Ode to Joy which stars Martin Freeman as Charlie, a man who has to decide whether or not to suppress his feelings when he falls for Francesca (Morena Baccarin), due to a rare disorder which causes him to become paralysed when he experiences strong emotion; take a look here…
How does a man who is—literally—paralyzed by happiness find love? Thanks to a condition called cataplexy—a rare disorder that causes him to lose control of his muscles whenever he is overcome by strong emotion, particularly joy—Brooklyn librarian Charlie (Martin Freeman) has learned to carefully edit all delight-triggering people, places, and events out of his life. Family weddings, cute babies, adorable puppies, and, yes, romance are all fraught with peril in Charlie’s carefully managed world. But when the beautiful, spontaneous Francesca (Morena Baccarin) falls for him, the risk-averse Charlie finds himself at a crossroads: suppress his feelings of attraction, or take a chance and let love in? Based on a true story originally featured on This American Life, Ode to Joy is a hilarious and touching look at what happens when we stop being afraid and let ourselves truly live.
Ode to Joy is set for release on August 9th and sees Jason Winer directing a cast that also includes Melissa Rauch, Jake Lacy, Jane Curtin, Shannon Woodward, and Adam Shapiro.
Originally published July 12, 2019. Updated July 13, 2019.
