Watch Northfork
- PG-13
- 2003
- 1 hr 43 min
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6.2 (5,622)
Northfork is an evocative and artistic film set in the early 1950s, directed by Michael Polish and featuring a star-studded cast including Dule Hill, Nick Nolte, and Anthony Edwards. The story follows a group of men who are tasked with evacuating the small town of Northfork before it is submerged by a new dam project. The movie is a magical and contemplative exploration of themes such as loss, acceptance, spirituality, and the nature of reality itself.
The film takes place in a surreal and dreamlike world that is both familiar and strange. The scenery is breathtaking, from the vast expanse of the surrounding countryside to the imposing presence of the great dam that looms over the town. The imagery is filled with symbols and metaphors that create a rich tapestry of meaning that is both poetic and enigmatic.
The characters of Northfork are also richly drawn, each with their unique stories and motivations. There is the local priest (Nick Nolte), who struggles with his faith and his own mortality as he tries to help the townspeople come to terms with their impending displacement. There is also the orphan boy named Irwin (Dule Hill), who is visited by a group of angels who show him visions of his past, present, and future. And then there are the enigmatic "evacuators," who seem to be doing more than just helping the locals pack their bags.
The plot of Northfork is not linear, instead, it unfolds in a series of interconnected vignettes that are both funny and haunting. The movie shifts between the perspectives of the different characters, revealing their fears, hopes, and regrets, and gradually building towards a climax that is both moving and thought-provoking. The themes of the movie are complex and multi-layered, ranging from questions of identity and the human condition, to the power of faith and the politics of progress.
One of the central themes of the movie is the idea of loss and how we come to terms with it. The town of Northfork is a place that is slowly disappearing, and the people who live there must confront the fact that their homes, their memories, and their entire way of life are all about to vanish. This sense of impermanence is reflected in the characters themselves, who are haunted by their past traumas and struggles to find meaning and purpose in their lives. And yet, despite all of this, the movie is not depressing, but instead, it celebrates the joy and beauty of life, even as it acknowledges its fleeting nature.
Another theme of Northfork is the power of storytelling and the way that narratives shape our understanding of the world. The movie is filled with stories within stories, from the visions that Irwin has of his past and future, to the tales that the evacuators tell about their strange and otherworldly experiences. These stories provide a sense of continuity and meaning, even as they also hint at the possibility of multiple realities and alternative truths.
In conclusion, Northfork is an evocative and poetic film that explores complex themes of loss, identity, and spirituality. The movie is a meditation on the meaning of life and the power of storytelling to shape our understanding of the world. Its surreal and dreamlike imagery creates a haunting and otherworldly atmosphere that lingers long after the credits have rolled. Northfork is a movie that rewards patience and contemplation, and it is a testament to the power of cinema to move and inspire us.
Northfork is a 2003 fantasy movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 43 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2 and a MetaScore of 64.