In 'Tic Code,' Talent Triumphs

Every once in a while, a film comes along that touches you in a special way.

In the midst of all this summer's special effects blockbusters, The Tic Code is such a film, reports CBS News Correspondent Cathy Moss.

It may not have a lot of special effects, but it does have a lot of heart.

The story is about Miles, a 10-year old boy with Tourette's Syndrome, played by Christopher Marquette. He is also a gifted musician at peace when he plays piano.

At one point in the film, he asks his mother: "Which would you rather? Normal and can't play the piano? Or weird and can?"

For his single mom Laura—played by Polly Draper—the choice is easy. She will gladly have her son just the way he is right now.

Draper says the film is "loosely based on my husband—not his life but his condition."

Best remembered for her role in the TV series Thirtysomething, Draper is married to jazz musician Michael Wolff, who has a mild form of Tourette's Syndrome—an inherited neurological disorder characterized by repeated and involuntary body movements and uncontrollable vocal sounds.

In the film, Miles, his best friend Todd and his mother all love jazz and admire Tyrone Pike—a jazz saxophonist played by Gregory Hines.

Miles would like to see Tyrone and his mom get together, since his dad left them when he was younger. Tyrone and Miles not only share a love of jazz, they share a secret that is revealed when the boy is terrorized by a school bully.

The older man who for so long has hidden his affliction must come to grips with Tourette's just as his young admirer must.

"Why do you think Miles and I do this,?" Hines' character asks the bullies. "I don't know. It s a code—it s a tic code."

The Tic Code was written and produced by Draper, for her husband and to help those like him that have Tourette's.

The R-rated movie, which opened in limited release Friday, is directed by Gary Winick and also stars Carole Kane and Camryn Manheim. It was released by Lions Gate Films.