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The Tic Code (1998)

tomatometer

75

Average Rating: 6.6/10
Reviews Counted: 28
Fresh: 21 | Rotten: 7

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

91

Average Rating: 7.2/10
Critic Reviews: 11
Fresh: 10 | Rotten: 1

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

audience

69

liked it
Average Rating: 3.6/5
User Ratings: 344

My Rating

Movie Info

Actress Polly Draper, best known for her role on the TV series thirtysomething, wrote and co-produced this family drama, as well as playing the female lead. Draper plays Laura, a single mother whose ten-year-old son Miles (Christopher Marquette) is already displaying a remarkable gift as a jazz pianist. However, Miles suffers from a mild case Tourette's Syndrome, a disorder that's not life threatening but causes victims to display a series of pronounced physical and facial tics, as well as

R, 1 hr. 30 min.

Art House & International, Drama

Polly Draper

Aug 21, 2003

Universal Studios Home Video

All Critics (32) | Top Critics (14) | Fresh (21) | Rotten (7) | DVD (4)

Starts out self-consciously but gets better as it goes along, winding up as affecting as it is illuminating.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Los Angeles Times | Comment
Los Angeles Times
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Ms. Draper's taut, self-effacing, extremely quiet performance is the best thing about the movie.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: New York Times | Comment
New York Times
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Raising it above the usual clichés are the superb jazz music and a sparkling script by lead actress Polly Draper.

January 1, 2000 Comment
New York Post
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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.

January 1, 2000 Comment
Boston Globe
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The Tic Code is the summer's surprise gift, a loving and humane film that rises above the season's overhyped blockbusters like a flower poking up through the concrete.

January 1, 2000 Comment
Newsday
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The Tic Code is badly lit and at times, awkwardly inspirational, yet there's real feeling in it.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Entertainment Weekly | Comment
Entertainment Weekly
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Egrossing, entertaining, and thoroughly conventional.

March 22, 2001 Full Review Source: Apollo Guide | Comment
Apollo Guide

While far from terrible, The Tic Code ultimately lacks the sophistication that separates a feature-length film from a TV movie-of-the-week.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Citysearch | Comment
Citysearch

A cut above most.

January 1, 2000 Comment
New Times

What makes the film engaging are the performances ... appealing secondary characters ... and occasional interventions into its soap operatic formula.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Philadelphia City Paper | Comment
Philadelphia City Paper

An afterschool special in all but name.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | Comment
TV Guide's Movie Guide

For me, it's just a little too restrained, with too many false notes.

January 1, 2000 Comment
Seattle Times
More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for The Tic Code

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.

November 28, 2010
itsjustme2004

Super Reviewer

An interesting story about a musically gifted young boy who also happens to suffer from Tourette's syndrome.

January 21, 2008
clooneyfan

Super Reviewer

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