It's not often that you can check out a movie's poster and get a real sense of how it's going to leave you feeling, but that's very much the case with Darren Scott's All Roads Lead to Home, a gentle and wistful indie drama centered around two individuals, Amy (Imogen Archer) and Matt (Frederick Szkoda), who both experience personal tragedies that they have tendency to pour out into songs. When they come across one another, they embark on a journey of soul-searching, healing, and friendship.
All Roads Lead to Home experienced quite a bit of success on the indie fest circuit with 22 fest award nominations and nine wins including an Audience Award at Birmingham Film Festival along with several others.
Archer and Szkoda are delightfully spot-on in terms of chemistry, sibling-like yet with that hint of a spark that keeps us watching them and invested in their journey as individuals and together. I was a tad worried early on in All Roads Lead to Home, though there's such a warm likability to these characters that it was still an easy choice to go along with them. Archer, in particular, wins us over right away and once the two are together the film's off and running.
It's not often that I find an indie narrative where the music really contributes to the story, however, such is the case here with original songs that feel appropriate to the story that's unfolding. I'd be surprised if you don't find yourself singing along at various points throughout the film.
While there are moments of drama here, rest assured that this film from Positive Space Pictures is, indeed, a feel-good positive space. Much of that feel-good energy is simply the terrific performances by Archer and Szkoda.
Archer is so good here that you'll easily think she's simply playing herself. Having seen some of her other work, however, I'm convinced this is an actress to watch for in the future (and she can sing!). Szkoda also impresses here offering up gentle layers as Matt with his healing journey being engaging to watch.
Will J. Carman's lensing for the film is effective throughout, capturing both the beauty of the journey and the growing lightness that unfolds with healing. Kudos as well for the production design of Mary Dodds and Jenny Anderton's character-driven costume design.
All Roads Lead to Home is the kind of layered, feel-good drama that you hope will find the cinematic home it deserves. Currently available for viewing on Kinoora, this is a film to watch for as it hopefully lands on additional streaming platforms.
Written by Richard Propes
The Independent Critic
