North of Normal accomplishes so much in just 90 mins in the recreation of Cea Sunrise Person's Memoir by the same name. Immediately drawn in to young Cea's world, the viewer is brought along for the tumultuous ride that is Cea's formative years spent in the wilderness with her unconventional family. The resulting impact this has on Cea and her relationships with her mother and grandfather is so beautifully portrayed by River Price-Maenpaa (young Cea), Amanda Fix (older Cea), Sarah Gadon (Cea's Mom Michelle) and Robert Carlyle (Cea's grandfather "Papa Dick"). The portrayal of complicated family dynamics amidst the backdrop of the rugged wilderness (shot in Northern Ontario) is nothing short of brilliant cinema!
Cea's story of abandonment, trauma and neglect is juxtaposed with tender moments of perseverance, love and triumph.
While the movie doesn't capture everything in North of Normal and Cea's second book Nearly Normal, you are still left cheering for her and wanting more. Cea's story doesn't end there and the world should know where and how her tale continues.
Cea's brave retelling of her childhood experiences, brought to life again through this film will leave a marked impression on its viewrs for a long time. Highly recommend seeing the movie and reading both Cea's books!
Cea's story of abandonment, trauma and neglect is juxtaposed with tender moments of perseverance, love and triumph.
While the movie doesn't capture everything in North of Normal and Cea's second book Nearly Normal, you are still left cheering for her and wanting more. Cea's story doesn't end there and the world should know where and how her tale continues.
Cea's brave retelling of her childhood experiences, brought to life again through this film will leave a marked impression on its viewrs for a long time. Highly recommend seeing the movie and reading both Cea's books!