Nora is the exciting debut feature film from Anna Campbell. Campbell is a multi-hyphenate with acting appearances on shows like NCIS, Mad Men, and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. She has now written and directed Nora, an emotional and entertaining film about the disasters of motherhood. The film stars Campell in the titular role, along with Nick Fink and Sophie Baaden.
The audio and visual experience of Anna Campbell’s Nora
Nora is a really fun movie about a woman struggling to find her place in the world as a mother and a former songwriter. The core of the movie is exploring the phrase “You can’t go home again,” a theme that resonates so universally in adulthood. After returning to her hometown, Nora has to navigate who she is now, versus who she used to be and who she wanted to be as a child. Her self-exploration gives the movie its substance, which is aided by the joyful performances from the supporting cast and cinematographer Kevin Fletcher’s dynamic filmmaking techniques behind the camera.
As Nora’s daily life pivots from highs to lows, the film is punctuated with delightful musical interludes that help express Nora’s mental states throughout the movie. The concept of the movie is brilliant, blending a slow, grounded, down-to-earth drama with surrealist sequences that pay homage to the history of pop culture. What could have been a short, simple story embracing the ups and downs of life becomes a audio and visual extravaganza that never loses its very human heart.
I thought Nora was a wonderful and inventive breath of fresh air. I wish every movie had this much creative kinetic energy behind it. Campbell plays with so many different ideas without ever doing the same thing twice. This is a fantastic showcase for a brilliant up-and-coming new talent, and I am ecstatic about the experience I just watched.
Anna Campbell’s creative voice
The songs include with some hits and some misses, but Anna Campbell experiments with so many styles that surely everyone can find a few they connect with. Nora is infused with so much heart and creativity, particularly from Campbell’s strong personality and sense of humor. This is truly an artist’s statement, and the musical sequences are so much fun that it’s hard to not love them. And when they’re great, they absolutely hit, especially in the fantastic finale that the whole movie builds towards.
Of the cast, the superstar is clearly Anna Campbell. Through ups and downs, Campbell graces the movie with her facial expressions through humor and heartbreak. Sophie Baaden is also adorable as her young daughter Sadie. They quickly fall into a playful mother/daughter dynamic that truly feels genuine. Campell is also great with Nick Fink as Sadie’s teacher Adam, who takes on an important role in the film. In general, I was very impressed by the strong casting and performances throughout the movie.
Unfortunately, I did feel that some of the editing and post-production work made it apparent that it was a first film, and at times I felt the dialogue was not fully polished. Additionally, many side characters are sadly underdeveloped; it might have been better to focus on a few characters who we get to know better. But ultimately, the script can still carry the musical sequences and the drama of the story, which are the most important elements of the film.
My verdict on Nora
Overall, I strongly recommend Nora. The film has the core of a grounded drama, but remains is filled with so much fun and a great sense of humor: Sometimes joyfully silly, sometimes ironic, sometimes tragically real. The timing on the comedic editing is great, and the musical interludes are full of thrilling surprises for film fans of any genre.
Anna Campbell has proved that she can operate in so many different registers and styles that I am excited to follow her directorial career in the future. I encourage anyone interested to seek out Nora and see what they think for themselves!
Nora debuted at CineQuest on March 15, 2025. If it comes to a theater or streaming service near you later this year, let me know what you think! In the meantime, check out the trailer and more on the official site here. You can find me on Bluesky @vinwriteswords, and remember to follow the site @MyCosmicCircus on social media, or @TheCosmicCircus on Bluesky.
For my spoiler-free video review about this film, watch this video on The Cosmic Circus’ YouTube channel. Please like and subscribe to help us grow our channel there.
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