The Tic Code

1998
R
1h 31m

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

A 12-year-old gifted boy wants to be a jazz pianist much to the chagrin of his more classical oriented piano instructor. With his mother's help, he is an underage regular at a local nightspo... Read allA 12-year-old gifted boy wants to be a jazz pianist much to the chagrin of his more classical oriented piano instructor. With his mother's help, he is an underage regular at a local nightspot, where he is teamed up with a sax superstar. Both come to learn that each suffers from T... Read allA 12-year-old gifted boy wants to be a jazz pianist much to the chagrin of his more classical oriented piano instructor. With his mother's help, he is an underage regular at a local nightspot, where he is teamed up with a sax superstar. Both come to learn that each suffers from Tourette's Syndrome (thus the film title). The older man has developed mannerisms to cover ... Read all

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.7/10

498

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 6 wins total

Photos8

+ 2

Top cast26

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Christopher Rodriguez Marquette

Miles
(as Christopher George Marquette)

Polly Draper

Laura

Carol Kane

Miss Gimpole

Desmond Robertson

Todd

Robert Iler

Denny

Bill Nunn

Kingston

Tony Shalhoub

Phil

Ismail Bashey

Indian Man

Camryn Manheim

Mrs. Swensrut

Blair Swanson

Confident Girl
(as Blair Ashlee Swanson)

Gregory Hines

Tyrone Pike

Carlos McKinney

Chester

John B. Williams

Sparky

Richard A. Berk

Tiny
(as Dick Berk)

Fisher Stevens

Morris

Allison Nurse

Blonde #1

David Johansen

Marvin

Pat Moya

Belinda

Director
- Gary Winick
Writer
- Polly Draper
All cast & crew
Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

User reviews15

6.7498

Featured reviews

8RashomonLaStrada

Thank you for making this movie...

This movie meant a great deal to me. I have Tourrette Syndrome -- no two cases are alike and the way it impacts each life is different -- but the two Tourretters in the story humanized the funny movements and grimaces that have been with me all my life. I didn't get a correct diagnosis until I was 30 and then chose to not take medication so I can keep my personality.

It would be great if the filmmakers come across this. I'd like them to know how much this meant to me (and I'm sure lots of other people with Tourrettes and their families).

Plus, it was nice that Gregory Hines got this multifaceted role to play -- I will miss him, he was a performer with class. And BTW isn't it nice that there are still a few movies about human beings without things blowing up or bimbos taking off their clothes?

AKS-6

Touching film

The Tic Code is a touching drama about a boy who suffers from Tourette's syndrome, his mother who tries to support her son and a jazz musician who also is afflicted with TS. The film is heart-rending to watch, especially the scenes where the boy tries to understand why his father has abandoned him. In the centre of the film is an absolutely brilliant performance by Chris Marquette as the boy. An astonishing performance.

Tourette's syndrome has also been the focus of Jonathan Lethem's great novel Motherless Brooklyn, which is a novel I recommend, even though it is nothing like this film.

(6/10)

9moses-11

Still gives me the shivers . . . That good.

Which would you rather: Titanic or The Tic Code? They were both on at the same time, and I chose the latter, a made for premium cable movie, which means it will be available for rental sooner or later. If you like good acting and good jazz, this one's for you. The kid is amazing in his portrayal of a kid (go figure) with Tourette's. It's your typical 'freaks are people too' movie, but that doesn't mean it's not good. It's very well done. It intrigues me that maybe Thelonious Monk had Tourette's too. He's probably my favorite pianist. OK, take out the probably. But I saw that this is listed under the "children's" genre. Not that I'm saying it isn't good for kids, but it's also good for adults. By the way, watch all the way to the end of the credits. It's worth it.

joey-47

Hits home like no movie I've ever seen

You've got to admire a director who can take real life and keep it real on the big screen, and at the same time produce a wonderful, funny and touching film.

With The Tic Code, Gary Winick has done just that. This will be the most realistic movie about Tourette's Syndrome you will ever see. It totally hit home as I was constantly reminded of my childhood. Other kids laughing and making fun, and me feeling alienated because of my supposed abnormality. This movie does a great job in displaying people's ignorance about the subject. Those who have simply seen the episode of L.A. Law which featured a witness with severe Tourette's, don't know the story. If you see this movie, you'll be all the wiser, and you'll be treated to a great film at the same time.

This movie gets 4 stars.

8Rogue-32

a heartfelt labor of love

Polly Draper (who wrote this and co-stars) can be truly proud of this effort, a beautiful and deeply felt labor of love. Brilliant performances from the always-sublime Gregory Hines and Chris Marquette, who portrays the young Miles with breathtaking believability; he does not hit a false note in the entire movie, and his scenes are not easy, which is an understatement. Never wallowing in sentimentality, the film maintains a gritty, soulful tone throughout. Highly recommended.

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Crazy credits
At the end of the credits, the following dialogue is heard: Miles: Mom, which would you rather? Flat fingers like Thelonious or flat fingers like Horowitz? Laura: Flat fingers like Miles. Tyrone: Flat, flat, flat. Miles: Mom, which you rather? Pennies facing heads, or pennies facing tails? Laura: Is this a trick question?