The Tic Code

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The Tic Code

R

Released Aug 4, 2000

1h 31m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

75%

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28 Reviews

84%

Popcornmeter

250+ Ratings

Life doesn't always deal you a fair hand. The trick is finding a way to play that hand to your advantage. It's a "coming-of-age" lesson that a piano prodigy, his mother, and a famous saxophonist all have to learn. Starring Gregory Hines, Polly Draper, and introducing the remarkable young actor Christopher Marquette. Set to the sensuous rhythms of New York's jazz scene, "The Tic Code" is a tender, romantic, and funny drama about learning to love despite what the real world throws you.

Critics Consensus

Though the story is conventional, it's nonetheless sympathetic and credible.

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Nell Minow

Movie Mom

Rated: 4/5

Aug 1, 2003

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Jay Carr

Boston Globe

It's got more genuine-seeming feelings and a more accurate take on its particular corner of the world than a colosseum of summer blockbusters.

Jan 1, 2000

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Hannah Brown

New York Post

Raising it above the usual clichs are the superb jazz music and a sparkling script by lead actress Polly Draper.

Jan 1, 2000

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Cole Smithey

ColeSmithey.com

Rated: 3/5

Dec 4, 2007

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 2/5

Aug 21, 2005

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Paula Nechak

Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Rated: C+

Apr 3, 2002

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Audience Member

As a person with Tourette's myself, this movie reminds me that you can still do whatever you want to do in life and be successful, even if you have a disability.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/12/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Great premise, script, and jazz soundtrack. This is no Disease of the Week movie and the producers do a nice job of avoiding cliche. Marquette's portrayal of a kid with Tourette's syndrome is spot on. Some scenes are overacted a bit.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/18/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A well written movie about a boy dealing with Tourette's syndrome who also happens to be a musical (jazz pianist) genius. The script by Polly Draper pulls a few punches at times with GREAT acting by Tony Shalhoub. It it interesting that Ms Draper tosses in her theory that 'Thelonious Monk's stage eccentricities may have been signs of undiagnosed Tourette's.'

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/24/23

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Audience Member

Intelligent, uplifting story. Great acting. Realistic portrayal of Tourettes Syndrome by a very talented young actor. Great music. All around nice movie....good send off for the late Gregory Hines.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I like this movie it really goes deep and the kid didn't do that bad of a job. I have Tourette's syndrome and I like movies that have some true to it about people who have tourettes. We all don't say inappropriate things.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/08/23

Full Review

Audience Member

If it seems to have the ingredients of an after-school special, it's also delightfully unsentimental, yet uplifting, and while spinning its wholly credible tale gives its audience quite a bit of knowledge and understanding about kids, an unusual disease, and the universe of jazz musicians.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/25/23

Full Review

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Gary Winick

Director

Gregory Hines

Tyrone

Polly Draper

Laura

Chris Marquette

Miles Caraday

Desmond Robertson

Todd

James McCaffery

Michael Caraday

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Synopsis

Life doesn't always deal you a fair hand. The trick is finding a way to play that hand to your advantage. It's a "coming-of-age" lesson that a piano prodigy, his mother, and a famous saxophonist all have to learn. Starring Gregory Hines, Polly Draper, and introducing the remarkable young actor Christopher Marquette. Set to the sensuous rhythms of New York's jazz scene, "The Tic Code" is a tender, romantic, and funny drama about learning to love despite what the real world throws you.

Director: Gary Winick
Screenwriter: Polly Draper
Distributor: Avalanche Home Entertainment, Lionsgate Films
Production Co: Jazz Films, Inc., Gun for Hire Films
Rating: R (Language)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 4, 2000, Wide
Release Date (DVD): Aug 19, 2003
Box Office (Gross USA): $203.8K
Runtime: 1h 31m
Sound Mix: Surround