Northfork (2003)

Director:

Michael Polish

Writers (WGA):

Mark Polish (written by) &
Michael Polish (written by)

Release Date:

19 November 2003 (France)

Genre:

Drama | Fantasy

Plot:

Set in 1955, the residents of a small Montana community are forced to move their homes to make way for a new dam.

Plot Keywords:

Evacuation | Orphanage | Dam | Priest | Death

Awards:

3 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

James Woods	...	Walter O'Brien
Nick Nolte	...	Father Harlan
Douglas Sebern	...	Mayor
Claire Forlani	...	Mrs. Hadfield
Duel Farnes	...	Irwin
Mark Polish	...	Willis O'Brien
Daryl Hannah	...	Flower Hercules
Graham Beckel	...	Marvin
Josh Barker	...	Matt (as Joshuin Barker)
Peter Coyote	...	Eddie
Jon Gries	...	Arnold
Rick Overton	...	Rudolph
Robin Sachs	...	Cup of Tea
Ben Foster	...	Cod
Anthony Edwards	...	Happy

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for brief sexuality.

Runtime:

103 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Portugal:M/12 | USA:PG-13 (certificate #39205) | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Canada:14A (Ontario) | UK:PG

Filming Locations:

Augusta, Montana, USA

Company:

Paramount Classics

Goofs:

Audio/visual unsynchronized: Jigger can be heard pumping a shotgun between shots, but when we approach, we find he has a double-barrelled shotgun, which makes virtually no noise during reloading.

Quotes:

Walter: What are you talking about Willis?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Bareknuckle Film Making: The Making of Northfork (2003) (V)

Soundtrack:

I Don't Care

Fantastic

The third film from the Polish brothers is their best, most beautiful, imaginative film yet. Though many audiences will have a problem with Northfork's lack of traditional dramatic structure, "Stick with it, Jack!". The plot is difficult to summarize, so just know that the story includes: agents trying to evacuate a city, God in a cowboy hat, the selling of angel wings, and a sick orphan (but it all works). M. David Mullen's extraordinary photography makes almost every frame exciting and wonderful to look at. The performances of the actors, working with the Polish Brothers' inspiringly offbeat script, are pitch-perfect and give the film its emotional punch. The strong-willed audience member will be moved by the mythology and folk tale of the story, the comic and moving actors, and finally the incredible courage and command that Michael Polish shows behind the camera. Again all of these incredible and seemingly disjointed elements come together magnificently in one of the most incredible things you should run out and experience. A great, great, great movie!!!