NORA
The multitalented filmmaker and musician Anna Campbell‘s musical motherhood journey NORA is in theatres now. The film follows a former musician who moves to the burbs to raise her young daughter. With her husband on the road for six weeks, Nora must navigate considerable life changes in the suburban jungle while coming to terms with her deepest dreams.
Sophie Mara Baaden plays six-year-old Sadie with authentic innocence and sass. She has wonderful chemistry with Campbell. Lesley Ann Warren plays Nora’s waspy mother and provides the stereotypical artist’s parent doubtful “I told you so” tone. Nick Fink is fantastic as Sadie’s first-grade teacher Adam. He and Campbell are a striking duo. It doesn’t hurt that his singing voice Is delicious.
The script nails the loss of personal identity when a woman becomes a mother. The invisible labor and patriarchal structure often lead to isolation and lingering resentment. It delves into self-loathing and body changes. It tackles suburban social pressure, which can be a lot. On the flip side, she also perfectly captures the love-filled hyping up we do for our kids every single day.
Nora disassociates through musical fantasy sequences. Each one, featuring Noah Harmon‘s undeniably original and catchy song, becomes a spectacular music video that delivers visual surprises and pushes her’s narrative forward like an emotional freight train. Think Veruca Salt, The Breeders, Tori Amos, and Yeah Yeah Yeahs. It is a jolt of feminist rocker joy.
Campbell is ceaselessly charming. She is funny, self-effacing, anxiety-ridden, and pottymouthed, just the way I like my fellow Moms. As a woman who gave up a career performing to be a supportive partner and mother, NORA fills my soul with a knowing.
Kevin Fletcher‘s cinematography is beautiful. Christoph Baaden’s editing is applause-worthy. Each cast member gives us precisely what we need from them. NORA manages to be both unique and extraordinarily universal. It is a must-see.
NORA Trailer:
Releasing in Theaters in Los Angeles on April 11th and in New York on April 18th
The journey of self discovery isn’t always easy. Returning to her hometown after abandoning her music career, Nora finds it difficult to settle into the new demands of suburban motherhood. When her husband goes on tour and leaves her solo-parenting their precocious six-year-old, Nora is forced to evaluate her current circumstances and the dreams she left behind.
Directed by:
Anna Campbell
Written by:
Anna Campbell
Starring:
Anna Campbell
Lesley Ann Warren
Sophie Mara Baaden
Nick Fink
Jay Walker
Max Lesser
Nancy Hale
Running Time:
101 Minutes
ZERO
Fast-paced editing and augmented sound effects keep you engaged from the first frame. The concept combines the adrenaline of SAW and SPEED, but it’s funnier and inevitably much darker. The soundtrack is fantastic. Gregory Turbellier‘s camerawork is immersive and sharp.
Leading players Hus Miller (who also co-writes) and Cam McHarg have fiery chemistry, each delivering fully flushed-out characters even if we know the most basic information about them. They make a great on-screen team. I would love to see this entire crew create more projects together.
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