THE TIC CODE

Year: 1998
USA: Jazz Films
Cast: Gregory Hines, Polly Draper, Chris Marquette, Desmond Robertson, James McCaffrey, Carol Kane, Bill Nunn, Tony Shalhoub, Fisher Stevens, Camryn Manheim, David Johansen, Richard A Berk, John B Williams, Carlos McKinney, Allison Nurse
Director: Gary Winick
Country: USA
USA: 91 mins
USA Rated: R for language
USA Release Date: 4 August 2000 (Limited Release - Los Angeles, New York and Houston)

Synopsis

Winner of all top three accolades at the Gioffoni Film Festival, the Audience Award at the Hamptons International Film Festival, the Best Picture Award at the Berlin Film Festival and the Best Picture Award at the Vancouver Film Festival, THE TIC CODE presents an eloquent study of a musical prodigy afflicted with Tourette's Syndrome, and his emotionally cloistered mother.

THE TIC CODE tells the story of Miles (Chris Marquette), an extraordinary gifted twelve year-old who lives with his single mother, Laura (Polly Draper), and shares a fierce love of jazz with his best friend Todd (Desmond Robertson). Miles is distinguished for his musical brilliance yet also set apart by a neurological disorder. He must cope with the teasing and bullying of his classmates, but more importantly with the alienation of his father, a studio musician uncomfortable with his affliction. Sensitive to Miles' need for a father, Laura arranges for Miles to meet his idol, the legendary saxophonist Tyrone Pike (Gregory Hines). A breathless improvisational meeting between the two forges a friendship. Miles' desire for his mother to share in his new found love for Tyrone leads him into a child's innocent game of matchmaking. Set to the exciting and sensual rhythms of the New York jazz scene, THE TIC CODE is a riveting, touching and exhilarating story of three people finding themselves by finding each other.