Joshua Close does a very commendable job as the lead actor in A Breed Apart playing Sydney Tompkins, a herder who comes to the Province of Canada during the 1850s. He and his son Emmett (Isaac Highams) till their land and tend to their cows. Sydney and Emmett’s cows are different from the American ones. These cows come from Hereford and can be fatter, which requires work from herders.

This relative rarity gets them their share of visitors like investor James Cromwell (Michael Hough). Sydney takes their money while raising Emmett who has a lot to learn about livestock. A disease comes to their herd where their cows get symptoms and eventually, most die. Only having one bull in their barn, Sydney reluctantly writes a letter to return home. Do they have to return, or will a neighbour, Clara Pender (Krista Bridges) and her husband Thomas (Stuart Hughes) help them?

A Breed Apart is a historical drama with touches of horror, especially during the barn scenes, although still the film reminds its viewers that sometimes, people are monsters, or just annoying. The Cromwell scene is such a reminder, showing characters reflecting real life vulture vibes.

The film’s first of maybe four acts has Tomkins dealing with visitors who may be annoying. But still, A Breed Apart‘s central relationship is between father and son, Sydney and Emmett. Sydney is a tough father but not a bad one, as life lets him evolve. That evolution comes here as it gives us a break from the cows, as some scenes have Sydney tell Emmett stories. Stories about overcoming pain and him disregarding small mindedness.

Evolution is possible but A Breed Apart shows how difficult that is because of circumstances. And this is where the horror touches come in, especially as the Tomkins’ cows die. The worst part, perhaps, is how some in the community act when bad things happen.

Sometimes, A Breed Apart shows those cows dying in front of their neighbours like Clara’s daughter Beth (Charlie Storey) and son Oscar (Simon Webster). But at other times, it captures Sydney bearing that cross alone, holding stillborn calves day in and day out. Again, this is where Close’s performance helps drive the point, reminding viewers of how hard things were.

Aside from Close, A Breed Apart also captures Highams’ performance as a child observing how things work. The performances aren’t the only thing commendable about a film that has good editing and cinematography. Yes, it depicts the coldness of Canada then and now but it’s the people loving each other who make it warm.

Toronto cinephiles can watch A Breed Apart at the Carlton.