Northfork (2003)

Following their super-quirky films Twin Falls Idaho and Jackpot, the Polish brothers take a leap of faith with their third picture, Northfork. And it pays off handsomely. Somewhere in the desolate Midwest, the town of Northfork is about to be drowned in the waters held back by a new dam. It's up to a group of men (in identical black suits and fedoras) to clear out the last stubborn landowners. Meanwhile, a deathly ill boy bargains with a delegation of heaven-sent searchers--at least that's what they seem to be. Is this Fargo meets Touched by an Angel? That's the peculiar feel of this otherwise unclassifiable movie, which veers from academic artiness to wacky blackout humor. Who can explain the restaurant where diners must guess the lone menu item? And who would want to? James Woods and Nick Nolte lead a game cast through this oddly winning enterprise. --Robert Horton Amazon.com

Absolutely the worst movie I have ever sat through, no exception!!!

This movie is pointless, bizarre , inane, and totally without merit. I guess you would have to be as weird as the script writer to understand this movie. I thought I had broad tastes in movies and story lines, but this one just escaped me.......... James Woods, Nick Nolte, shame on you! October 22, 2007

A Wonderful and Engaging Film

This film has great performances, wonderful writing, beautiful cinematography, and kind of an easygoing mysticism that pervades it. Once you start watching it, you can't stop. The commentary is entertaining as well. June 17, 2007

Northfork, Montana (1776-1955)

A dreamy, stunningly atmospheric film takes place in a small town of Northfork, Montana in 1955. The government officials arrive to evacuate the town about to be inundated by a new hydroelctrical dam. There are the other visitors in the town, the angels from another time but they only seen by a dying boy Irvin. A local priest (Nick Nolte in a quiet heartbreaking performance) takes care of the boy. Irvin pleads with the angels to leave the place with them...

There is some unearthly quality in the film, some dignified mourning and sublime sadness when you suddenly realize the inevitable finality of everything - humans and their relationships, cities, countries, civilizations, the whole world as we know it. Death and birth have something in common - we go through them in the ultimate loneliness.

I cannot recall the film that affected me in the same way and as deeply as "Northfork" did, the film so beautiful and so tender, so quiet and so powerful, so heartbreaking and so moving. Even now, after several months since I saw it, tears come to my eyes when I only think of it.

After I saw it, I had to talk to somebody about it. I contacted a friend who had recommended the film to me and I asked, "Please tell me what I just saw?" And my friend replied with the words, "You just saw one of the greatest films of modern times. One of these days others will see the light."

April 20, 2007

Atmospheric and Lyrical

Northfork is visually beautiful and full of incredible images. A group of black-coated men attempt to evacuate the last holdouts of a town that is (supposedly) due to be flooded, and a young boy hovers between life and death, while a group of angels(?) seek one of their own to take back with them when they leave town. Although it sounds like a mess, I really enjoyed it. The film was shot in Montana, and the scenery is spectacular. The scene in the diner is straight out of David Lynch, whose influence is all over Northfork. Quite imaginative and enjoyable. February 26, 2007

ZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzz

Beautiful cinematography and music as well as a cast of well known actors, this movie has it all...except that it is painfully boring. I fell asleep several times and could not stay interested no matter how hard I tried. The editing between scenes was very fragmented and the story moved sooooooo slowly. I did not enjoy this one very much at all. February 20, 2007

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