Ryuichi Sakamoto: Coda – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Ryuichi Sakamoto: Coda

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2017

68%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Contemplative documentary about legendary composer Ryuichi Sakamoto—beautiful for music nerds, sleep-inducing for everyone else.

7.6/10

98%

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Ryuichi Sakamoto: Coda

movie

PG, 2017

68%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Contemplative documentary about legendary composer Ryuichi Sakamoto—beautiful for music nerds, sleep-inducing for everyone else.

7.6

98%

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7.6/10

98%

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Screenwise Verdict

Let's be honest: this is a beautiful, critically-acclaimed documentary that 99% of families will find unwatchable. It's slow, meditative, and requires genuine interest in experimental music or documentary filmmaking to engage with.

That said, for the right teen—the one learning piano, obsessed with music production, or genuinely curious about artistic process—this could be genuinely enriching. Sakamoto is a legend (The Last Emperor, The Revenant soundtracks), and watching him work is like watching a master craftsman.

The WISE components score well because it's thoughtful, safe, and artistically valuable. But the overall score takes a hit because this is specialty content with extremely limited appeal. If your teen is into Radiohead, ambient music, or has ever said "I want to be a composer," queue it up. Otherwise, skip it without guilt.

Age Fit

This is for teens 14+ who are genuinely interested in music, art, or documentary film, and adults who appreciate slow, contemplative cinema. Common Sense says 11+, but realistically, most 11-year-olds would rather watch paint dry.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

A contemplative, respectful portrait of an artist reflecting on life, music, and mortality. The tone is gentle, meditative, and emotionally mature without being manipulative or chaotic. Models dedication to craft and thoughtful engagement with the world.

Imaginative

Documents the creative process of an experimental composer, showing how he finds music in everyday sounds (tsunami-damaged piano, field recordings). Invites viewers to think differently about sound, art, and creative expression, though it's observational rather than interactive.

Safe

Documentary format with no violence, sexuality, or inappropriate content. Common Sense Media rates it for age 11+. Some melancholy themes around mortality and environmental disaster (Fukushima) provide emotional weight but nothing shocking or traumatic. Contemplative pacing may feel slow but isn't unsafe.

Enriching

Offers insight into artistic dedication, the creative process, and how personal/global events shape art. Exposes viewers to experimental music and Japanese culture. Sakamoto's reflections on life, mortality, and environmental activism provide meaningful takeaways. Strong critical reception (98% RT, 78 Metacritic) validates its depth.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Introduces teens to experimental music and the creative process of a genuine artistic genius
Thoughtful exploration of how personal illness and global disasters (Fukushima) influence art
Stunning visuals and sound design that model deep listening and attention
Could inspire musically-inclined teens to think differently about composition and sound
Nearly perfect critical reception (98% on Rotten Tomatoes) for a reason—it's genuinely well-crafted

⚠

What to Watch For

Glacially paced—this is art-house documentary filmmaking, not entertainment
Themes of mortality and environmental disaster provide emotional weight without being graphic
Zero appeal for younger kids; even interested teens need patience and genuine curiosity about music
Available only on MUBI, a niche streaming platform for film enthusiasts

Conversation Starters

"What did you think about how he found music in that broken piano from the tsunami?"
"Have you ever thought about everyday sounds as potential music?"
"Why do you think he kept working on music even when he was sick?"
"What does it mean to dedicate your whole life to one art form?"

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