Movie Review: North Of Normal (2022)

Genre: Coming-of-Age Drama  
Director: Carly Stone  

Starring: Sarah Gadon, Amanda Fix, Robert Carlyle, James D'Arcy  

Running Time: 90 minutes  

Synopsis: Cea is a young girl raised off-grid in the rural Canadian wilderness by her unconventional hippie family, led by counterculture grandfather Papa Dick (Robert Carlyle). Her mother Michelle (Sarah Gadon) is perpetually high and never really grew up. Mother and daughter eventually leave the commune with a wanderer, and in adolescence Cea (Amanda Fix) enrolls in a public high school for the first time. She adapts to social norms and attempts modeling, while taking on a more adult role due to Michelle’s enduring immaturity.

What Works Well: The adaptation of Cea Sunrise Person's autobiographical book is a gentle exploration of jarring contrasts, director Carly Stone using elegant perspectives and enchanting cinematography to capture beauty within dislocation. From tent living in the middle of nowhere to integrating within a suburban community, Cea's journey is traced with heart, affection, and minimal melodrama. The challenge of growing up with a clueless mother adds a layer of tension, Cea forced to adapt to new surroundings and assume the burden of abdicated emotional responsibilities. Amanda Fix and Sarah Gadon both deliver warmly genuine performances.

What Does Not Work As Well: The frequent time jumps between Cea's adolescence and childhood are not all that necessary. While always engaging and graceful, ultimately this is a small and personal story with limited broad resonance.

Key Quote:

Papa Dick: What's my number one rule?

Cea: Never give in to fear.

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