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 | Priest | Death

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:

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:

Father Harlan: We are all angels. It is what we do with our wings that separates us.

Movie Connections:

References "Diff'rent Strokes" (1978)

Soundtrack:

You're Not Mine Anymore

But its so simple..

Northfork is not an inscrutable mess. Whether you wish to view the more fanciful scenes as literal or the product of a dying boy's imagination, one strong theme connects all the stories. Change happens. Each sub-story revolves around a profound change. The little boy is dying. The town is being evacuated. The movie illustrates how we get dragged along by changes we are powerless to stop. We should ideally make the best of them and accept whatever heartache they cause. Some look forward towards a new freedom (the little boy) and some obstinately refuse to accept them (the ark family). And Walter has to learn the lesson that there are some changes we think are over and done with that must be relived (reburying his wife). Just because we think we've buried a chapter in life under the ground doesn't make it so. This is shown so clearly by the conversations between Walter and his son Willis. I say that if you really want to know what the movie is about watch the scene that begins in the outhouse. And pay special attention to the Willis's speech about caring for his car. Its a beautiful movie that gains meaning for me every time I watch it.