A Heartfelt Journey in Coal Valley
The story of Elisabeth Thatcher, a schoolteacher from the posh side of things who moves to the sleepy town of Coal Valley to reinvent herself is unfolded when Calls the Heart begins. Her challenges include acclimating herself to frontier life and getting along with the dashing Mounted Police Officer Jack Thornton. Elizabeth’s discovery in this community of the value of love, friendship, and resilience
There is a feeling of heartwarming and nostalgic about the themes of love, community, and resilience. The book addresses the passage from urban to frontier life: personal growth, the beauty of pastoral existence, the discovery of love and purpose in the midst of hardship. It’s a period dramas with its poise and a sense of quaintness in early 20th century small towns and full of hopeful and optimistic gusto.
Erin Krakow brings warmth and authenticity to Elizabeth. Kevin McGarry and Kavan Smith put in strong, charismatic performances for their parts. You can feel the chemistry between the cast, and the small town has a life of its own which feels believable. Each character development is woefully well thought out and the audience is able to invest emotionally with each step of the way.|The direction, by directors Neill Fearnley, Peter DeLuise and Mike Rohl, wisely allows each step of the way to be gently paced narrative that builds from the charm of the source material. A series that delivers the terms of their vision: the romance balanced by historical cynicism, the thrusting character arcs and the weave of beautiful storytelling.
The music supports the show through emotionally charged scenes with the gentle, period appropriate tunes that compliment their immersive quality. The music offsets the drama but never overwhelms it, giving the impression of refinement amidst nostalgia in the universe of its storytelling and calling viewers deeper into the heart of the story.
The cinematography reproduces the feel of an early 1900s era, whether by depicting large expanse landscapes and small town prettiness and thereby emphasizing that this show is set in a historical period. The narrative achieves an authentic nostalgic quality without sacrificing simplicity through ample use of natural light; production design embodies early 20th-century settings in modern costumes and architecture creating a sense of grounding in Coal Valley’s place in time. Set pieces, props and attire are all meticulously detailed to pay homage to period accuracy, as does the overall authenticity of the viewing itself.|The series minimal special effects help to beef up the otherwise realistic portrayals of the hardships suffered by Coal Valley residents. They occasionally use subtle effects to show the environment on the frontier, but without hogging the mike on storytelling; it all adds to the drama of the show; the editing is clean and efficient, able to bounce soap opera–style melodrama with closer look at character. It has a steady rhythm that can provide smooth passage between plotlines to make the narrative consistent and keeping the audience engaged from start to finish.
It is relaxed like its period drama pedigree as viewers can enjoy the scenery storytelling and character development. We made sure to craft each episode so the narrative has room to breathe in this soft spoken, rich town of Coal Valley
The dialogues in the series are filled with period appropriate language and sentimentality. Sincerity and earnestness is expressed by characters in script that portrays the simplicity and complexity of early 1900s life. Its melodramatic style might not be for everyone, but those who like romantic period dramas will doubtless enjoy When Calls the Heart for its earnest storytelling and character driven plots.
Their sweeping dialogue helps the depth of characters and the resonance of the story. Its leisurely pace and predictability may be less inviting to some, but this is a fitting characteristic of its genre; When Calls the Heart offers a heartwarming refuge into a lighthearted, romantic frontier adventure that hits home emotionally. Its traditional blend of historical charm and melodramatic nature make it a comforting watch for those that enjoy hopeful narratives set in simpler times.
