User reviews

'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.

The network Hallmark Movies and Mysteries is where I go, especially during the Christmas season, for the sentimental, the sappy, the tearjerker. I was very disappointed during Christmas of 2021. HMM started out well enough with 2 good movies in that tradition. Not the first week, but early in the season. For me, Christmas 2021 was a bad year. Since probably early November, there hasn't been a truly heartwarming movie on HMM, or for that matter UpTV or GACF. Until now, two weeks after all the Christmas premieres were done and I wasn't expecting it. Don't get me wrong. There is nothing about Christmas in North to Home.

This movie is about family and loss. It's about sisters. There is one romance, but it is definitely not the focal point. Until somewhere past the half way point, it was a very nice movie about a family struggling with loss and guilt and little secrets. There are a few different threads going, but nothing major. Then there is a very nice twist. Maybe there were clues, but I don't remember them. It caught me totally by surprise and that doesn't happen all that often.

The rest of the movie after the twist gets very sentimental and sappy. The good kind. I won't say more about the story.

The acting is good. All of the three sisters were good.

It's been a while since HM offered a high-quality drama, and North to Home is it. It's excellently cast, with the exception of one character (the guest house guest). Great chemistry between all the actresses who portrayed the sisters--they make you truly believe they are sisters--and Barbara Niven as their adoptive mother. Original backstory about the tragedy that brought this family together and the acting was top notch. I can actually see this as a series--are you listening HM? Highly recommend. Oh, the actor who portrayed the youngest sister's love interest--he wasn't convincing in his part, especially with his backstory, and could have been portrayed much better by any of HM's stable of supporting cast actors.

Hallmark Movies and Mysteries has shown it likes to take on some heavy topics, particularly around the death of loved ones. This one was well-acted and well-directed but a little too heavy on melodrama, particularly between the sisters. An enjoyable film with strong performances. Really like Lyndsy Fonseca and hopes she does more movies with Hallmark, but feel like she's cut out for a more lighthearted role.

This was a very touching (and realistic) story of the aftermath of a 25 year old tragedy and what happened to the siblings involved. Thoroughly enjoyable and "believable". Sad, joyful, well worth your time.

I didn't not like the movie...however, this book was so well rounded. I found the characters stilted in the movie. I know that comes down to timing - there just isn't time to delve into each character like you can in a novel. It was also "hallmarkified" which took away from the characters as well. If I hadn't read the book first I would have enjoyed this much more.

This was a beautiful drama. Unique story with depth and heart. Love the importance placed on the family working through difficulty and reconnecting. I won't elaborate in order to avoid spoilers.

This is one of the best movies I've seen about the long term effects of trauma, and how to heal from trauma - over time & by connecting with others. It's not overly dramatic, it's straightforward and clear. The movie takes its time fleshing out the characters so that the viewer can really care about each of them. The actors are superb.

This was so much better (and more emotional) than I thought it would be. And it was a very different kind of Hallmark movie than the ones that loyal viewers like me are used to seeing. In fact, the only new love story in the movie was the least interesting relationship (I also didn't really like the big reveal in connection with that story).

Instead, like Every Time a Bell Rings ( which starred this movie's multi talented director Ali Liebert), the main focus was the relationship between three sisters. They were played by three very beautiful, talented and compelling actresses (Lyndsy Fonseca, Kimberley Sustad and Erica Durance) and their mother was played by the very reliable Barbara Niven (from Chesapeake Shores) who may be the most beautiful 68 year old woman on the planet.

Lyndsy Fonseca just starred in her first Hallmark movie (Next Stop, Christmas- one of last year's best Hallmark movies) and I'm looking forward to many more from her. Kimberley Sustad was great in Christmas by Starlight with Paul Campbell. And Erica Durance was, for me, the best thing about Open By Christmas and I really wish Hallmark would put her in her own movie.. They were all wonderful here.

The relationships between between the two married sisters and their husbands was also portrayed as very healthy with a nice approach to the home/career conflict that Beth was experiencing. I could quibble about Hallmark's ongoing refusal to acknowledge the lack of daylight in Alaska during the winter (they'd be in the dark during that 7am hike), and Beth's overreaction to the girls getting cookie dough on their faces, but Hallmark movies don't get much better than this.

This is definitely one of the best Hallmark movies out there. The story was incredible. The 3 sisters and Barbara Niven did an amazing job. Mostly a drama movie with some romance. The scenery was wonderful also.

The scenes are beautiful and loved how the acting was sincere and believable. I also like how the storyline has more than just one couple. All three storylines are interesting and well directed.

9.0 stars.

I feel that less is more with this film, and if I try too hard to do it justice, I might say too much. 'North to Home' is a journey that must be appreciated by everyone, a masterpiece worthy of receiving awards.

It's a tear-fest start to finish...happy tears, reminiscent tears, loving tears, gripping tears. The acting is absolutely superb, these ladies shine like angels. In addition to the sublime performances shared by the women, the men also stand out in spite of their backseat roles.

Hats off this this film, it's probably the finest Hallmark I've seen. It is balanced so perfectly with all elements seamlessly working together. It's about a family that reunites for a mother's birthday to share the memories of past tragedy, courage, and healing. The characters are so likable, and the relationships are equally as authentic and full of life, energy, and depth. Fonseca, Sustad, Durance...Enough said. Each of them tapped into some magic from deep inside themselves to bring us a perfect interpretation of a family coming together to share life and all it has to offer.

I will honestly say this is the most well-rounded film I've seen in a long while; and although 'North to Home' is not my highest rated Hallmark, it is by far the best one.

This is the very best that Hallmark has to offer. It is a compelling story from start to finish about three sisters with very different lives and their mother who had a devastating experience 25 years ago. Hallmark has assembled an extremely talented cast : Kimberley Sustad, who always gives an excellent performance that enhances any film she is in; Barbara Niven, the best of Hallmark's "mother" figures; and relatively new actresses to the Hallmark stable, Lyndsy Fonseca and Erica Durance. These ladies all give rather complicated performances that serve to enhance the characters that they play and make them identifiable and sympathetic despite their flaws. Together, they create a family dynamic that is believable and realistic.

Credit must be given to the writers as well. This story evolves with several little surprises along the way, leading up to one jaw-dropping revelation that you don't see coming, which forces the sisters, and their mother as well, to confront their issues.

Supported by some very good performances by the male actors, particularly Tom Stevens as Luke, and two children (who are endearing without being obnoxious), the four lead actresses create a very talented ensemble that only enhances the creativity of the fine script. You get the feeling that all of these performers really enjoyed working with each other.

Visually, the movie is attractive and the production values are top notch.

Kudos to Hallmark, director Ali Liebert, the writers, and the cast for bringing this book to the screen in a way that is quite emotional without being maudlin and, ultimately, very satisfying and memorable. This is Hallmark at its best.

This is a movie I can watch over and over again. It is a great depiction of a dysfunctional family healing through a tragedy. It includes reality such as petty jealousy between sisters, guilt and then enlightenment. It also shows the bonds of friendship and trust and how our lives are shaped by others.

I really loved this movie-it didn't feel Hallmark with having more of a drama feel but I loved it. Great cast (loved all the characters!), well written storylines that were tear jerking at times but always heartwarming. This cast, depth, and variety of storylines would make this movie a great series for network.

The actors bring it.

Not a Hallmark "woke" movie! If you're dismayed by Hallmark's offerings of recent years, you'll enjoy this movie. If you're from a family with multiple siblings, you'll relate to the dynamics. Drama for sure, but not formulaic.

This was one of the best Hallmark movies I've seen in years!!! Three sisters come together in Alaska for their mother's 60th birthday. Each has their own goals in life but share a tragedy together from when they were younger. The movie does a great job of intertwining the characters and what each is going through privately and together. It was realistic, heartfelt, and shows the healing and joy families can have when recovering from a painful past.

Not knowing the book, I appreciated this film for nice try - and succes in good measure- to be more than the usual Hallmark.

It is a beautiful film about family, parenthood, future plans and reconciliation with yourself.

Well acted, it reminds, in fair manner, simple, basic truths, offering the vulnerability of characters as honest premise for define the esential importance of support of beloved one .

Three sisters present at their mother 60 years old birthday.

Each of them is front to a choice, from the clash between passion and moral duty, to the birth of child and the desire to comeback at work after a lot time consacred to children. An accident, changing in radical manner their lives is the shadow around anniversary.

But, sure, the end can not be a surprise.

So, little more than nice.