The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the Northern Arizona encore of the award-winning comedy “Ode to Joy,” showing Friday through Tuesday, Aug. 16 through 20, at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre.
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, N.Y., 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?
“Ode to Joy” debuted to rave audience reviews at the recent Sedona International Film Festival — where it won the Directors’ Choice Award for Feature Comedy — and is returning to Sedona by popular demand. “Ode to Joy” features an all-star ensemble cast including Martin Freeman, Morena Baccarin, Melissa Rauch, Jake Lacy, Jane Curtin, Shannon Woodward and Adam Shapiro.
Based on Portland writer Chris Higgins’ true story “I’ve Fallen in Love and I Can’t Get Up,” originally featured on “This American Life” on National Public Radio, “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” will be shown at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre Aug. 16 through 20. Showtimes will be 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 16 and 17; and 4 p.m. on Sunday and Tuesday, Aug. 18 and 20.
Tickets are $12, or $9 for Film Festival members. Call 282-1177 for tickets and more information. Both the theatre and film festival office are located at 2030 W. SR 89A in West Sedona. Visit SedonaFilmFestival.org for more information.
