Chasing the Past While Holding Onto the Present

Read Time:5 Minute, 6 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Nora
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Genre: Comedy, Drama, Music
Year Released: 2025
Runtime: 1h 41m
Director(s): Anna Campbell
Writer(s): Anna Campbell
Cast: Anna Campbell, Lesley Ann Warren, Sophie Mara Baaden, Nick Fink, Jay Walker, Max Lesser, Nancy Hale
Where To Watch: world premiere at Cinequest 2025

RAVING REVIEW: Music haunts the people who leave it behind, whispering reminders of what once was and what still could be. This film takes that idea and runs with it, exploring what happens when someone who once lived for music finds herself in a life where that passion feels more like a distant echo than a present reality. It’s a story of crossroads, of grappling with the weight of responsibility while longing for something more, and it delivers this emotional journey with a mix of grounded storytelling and whimsical musical numbers. While it doesn’t always hit the right notes, it makes an earnest attempt to blend reality and fantasy.

Anna Campbell is at the center of it all, pulling triple duty as the film’s writer, director, and lead. Her portrayal of Nora is deeply personal, capturing the frustration, nostalgia, and quiet longing that define her character’s struggles. There’s an authenticity in how she reacts to the world around her, particularly in the small, quiet beats—moments when she allows herself to get lost in the music or when a flicker of emotion escapes through a guarded exterior. She makes Nora feel like a real person rather than just a character on screen.

The supporting cast helps build out Nora’s world, though some characters feel more fleshed out than others. Lesley Ann Warren brings warmth and wisdom to her role as Terry, while Nick Fink plays Adam, a presence in Nora’s life who sometimes feels supportive but distant. Kate Miner and Jay Walker round out the cast, adding texture to the protagonist’s journey, even if their characters aren’t explored as much as they could be. The most affecting relationship, however, is between Nora and her young daughter Sadie, played by Sophie Mara Baaden, Campbell’s real-life daughter. Their scenes together have a natural chemistry, grounding the film in a genuine parent-child dynamic that feels lived in rather than rehearsed.

That contrast between the ordinary and the extraordinary is one of the film’s biggest strengths. The visuals shift dramatically between these two worlds, with the real-life scenes adopting a more muted, subdued aesthetic while the fantasy sequences explode with color and movement. The cinematography leans into this divide, helping the audience step into the protagonist’s headspace and experience the push and pull between her reality and the past she can’t quite let go of. It’s a creative choice that works—most of the time. However, some of the transitions between these two styles feel abrupt, making the shifts a little jarring. A more fluid integration could have made these moments even more immersive.

While the film has its moments of brilliance, it doesn’t quite maintain a consistent rhythm. Certain scenes linger longer than necessary, while others that could have benefited from more exploration feel rushed. The film wants to say something meaningful about the tension between personal ambition and responsibility, but the execution sometimes feels slightly uneven. A more refined balance between these moments would have made the journey feel more complete.

Despite its flaws, this film is sincere and difficult to dismiss. It doesn’t try to force drama where it doesn’t belong, nor does it exaggerate its themes to make a grand statement. Instead, it allows its protagonist to navigate her emotions and reflect on her dreams—those she pursued, those she left behind, and those she still holds onto.

For a directorial debut, this is an admirable effort. Anna Campbell proves she has a clear creative vision that isn’t afraid to mix realism with stylized musical escapism. While the execution isn’t always perfect, it’s a promising start for a filmmaker with something to say. There’s an understanding of visual storytelling here, and that alone makes the film worth watching, even if it doesn’t quite reach its full potential.

This isn’t the kind of film that demands attention with loud, dramatic moments or flashy spectacles. Instead, it quietly asks its audience to consider what happens when passion is put on hold. Is it ever truly possible to walk away from something that once defined you? Or will it always find its way back, no matter how much time has passed?

It may not have struck every chord perfectly, but it’s an interesting look at the struggle between chasing dreams and embracing the reality in front of you. For those who have ever felt torn between where they are and where they wish they could be, something here might resonate.

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[photo courtesy of BLONDE DOG PRODUCTIONS, DOLLHOUSE 2.0]

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