In Ode to Joy, Martin Freeman—trying out a very funny American accent—plays a narcoleptic who loses consciousness whenever strong emotions overcome him. This proves to be an inconvenient quirk when he falls for an attractive and available woman (Morena Baccarin). His rough-around-the-edges brother (Jake Lacy) is more than happy to move into the picture, and a lightly tense triangle forms. This feel-good indie comedy, directed by Jason Winer from a screenplay by Max Werner, hits some grace notes as Freeman’s attempts to suppress his happiness are overcome by l’amour fou.

Monica Film Center, 1332 2nd St., Santa Monica, Fri., Aug. 9, various showtimes; $9-$12. (310)-478-3836.

Also opening this week:

The Art of Racing in the Rain, Brian Banks, The Kitchen, Dora and the City of Lost Gold, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, One Child Nation, American Heretics, ZZ Top: That Little Ol’ Band from Texas, After the Wedding, Dying to Survive, Ecco, Every Time I Die, Jabariya Jodi, Light of My Life, Nektronic, The Peanut Butter Falcon, This Changes Everything, The Tracker

 

 

 

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