'North to Home' is the first 2022 Hallmark Movies and Mysteries film, which has always been a hit and miss block in all the years it's been going on. The story sounded really heartfelt, and Hallmark have proven many times that they can explore family relationships and deeper, more serious themes very well (they have not always been successful at this though). Of the cast, the most familiar names are Kimberly Sustad and Barbara Niven, have always liked both and have always found them consistently good.
Like all the previous years, 2022 was a very up and down year for Hallmark. 'North to Home' is one of the best 2022 Hallmark films and one of the most charming and moving. Also consider it a contender for the best 2022 Hallmark Movies and Mysteries film, a very well done start for the block and one of Hallmark's best in a long time. 'North to Home' may not be perfect by all means, but it is beautifully done in a vast majority of areas, especially the acting and emotion.
Starting with what doesn't quite come off as well as everything else, for my tastes it did get a little too melodramatic and sentimentality heavy in the final act.
Didn't find the male characters written as strongly on the whole (apart from Adam, who was in a relatable situation), did find Luke particularly underwritten and Tom Stevens for my tastes felt out of place.
However, there is a huge amount to love about 'North to Home'. Could find no issue with the acting, with equally deeply felt performances from Lyndsey Fonseca, Erica Durance and Sustad, Sustad as the most interesting sister of the three particularly good. All three are well fleshed out characters that are not hard to root for, with any negative character traits (like for example over-protectiveness not being overdone) and all three having distinct personalities. Niven brings a lot of class to her role and Matthew James Dowden is suitably sympathetic. The characters were ones easy to care about and felt more than typical cliches.
Furthermore, the script sounds natural and has real sincerity throughout, it doesn't sugar coat the serious theme without on the whole not overdoing the seriousness. The story is extremely touching and warms the heart, with everything done with a lot of honesty. All the subplots are nicely balanced and tie together cohesively, a good job is done developing them and making them relatable and true to life. The drama is not too soapy or over sentimental and it doesn't feel forced. Visually it looks pleasing, with the photography and scenery being equally attractive. The music plays a key role in the film while not being used too much, it has presence but isn't dominant in sound. The ending didn't feel too neat and is poignant.
Overall, very well done. 8/10.
