Northfork (2003)

User Rating:

6.3/10   

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 | Montana | Boy

Awards:

3 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

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:

Continuity: When Eddie and Arnold pay a visit to Jigger, after he stops shooting at them, Eddie and Arnold approach him. Jigger is sitting in a chair and holding a shotgun on his lap and not moving. A few shots later, the shotgun is in upright position with the butt on the ground. After they look at Jigger's feet, there's no sign of the shotgun so he must be holding it on his lap, again.

Quotes:

Happy: Duck. Duck. Duck. Goose.

Movie Connections:

References "Diff'rent Strokes" (1978)

Soundtrack:

I Don't Care

an acquired taste

Like the Polish Brothers' previous films (`Twin Falls Idaho' and `Jackpot'), `Northfork' divides audiences even as it baffles and bewilders them. Many will surely find this film to be slow moving, arty, pretentious and boring, while others will be intrigued by its originality and visionary quality. Either way you slice it, however, `Northfork' is an acquired taste.

It's 1955 and Northfork, a small town on the plains of Montana, is about to be wiped off the face of the earth by a gigantic flood. Only this time the destruction won't be the result of the angry hand of Providence but rather of a dam building project developed and conceived by the government in the name of `progress.' Out of this simple premise, Mark and Michael Polish have crafted an elegy to the past, a tone poem that reflects the deep sadness that comes with change, abandonment and loss. To achieve their effect, the writers have incorporated large doses of Magic Realism (with heavy religious and Biblical overtones) into their narrative. While we observe the harsh realities of people being driven from their homesteads, we are also introduced to a quartet of angels who are searching for one of their number who went missing a number of years earlier. Legend has it that the town of Northfork was originally looked out for by a group of guardian angels and it is from this rather twisted and bent angle that the Polish Brothers have chosen to approach their subject.

`Northfork' is far more about mood, imagery and tone than it is about plot and character development. In fact, the characters themselves – the angels, a caring priest, a dying boy, and a father and son whose job it is to make sure no people are left behind when the land is inundated – are as subdued in tone as the film is as a whole. None of the characters ever speaks above a whisper and each comes across as moody, introspective and stolid. It is in the visuals and in the unhurried, subtle pacing of the narrative that the film achieves its power. The dry barren plains, the weather beaten houses, the violated cemeteries, and the isolated figures of men and buildings placed in stark relief against an imposing horizon – these are the images that seep inexorably into the viewer's subconscious and which make the film a stunning study in melancholy. Let it be noted, however, that there is also a modicum of hope and optimism in the story to help mitigate the sadness.

A number of big name stars have leant their talents to the project, including Nick Nolte, James Woods and Daryl Hannah. Woods, with his straight-faced, deadpan delivery, provides some much needed touches of black humor throughout the otherwise deadly serious work.

`Northfork' definitely requires that you be in a certain mood to appreciate and enjoy it. Hopefully, you'll hit it at just the right moment.