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Rating:  -
Like some of the other reviewers, I normally like films that are quirky. This one however seemed to be different just for the sake of being different. It had very little entertainment value. Perhaps the photography and cinematography will appeal to some. There is very little dialogue and very little that made me want to keep watching. Maybe I just didn't get it.
Rating:  -
I can't ever remember seeing two sides so utterly opposed on one film here at Amazon. Either you loved it (my case), or hated it (several others).
Having looked over both sides' reviews here, I've come to the conclusion that those who disliked `Northfork' are those who enjoy straight forward storytelling, mindless story-flow, and would prefer to watch such films as `Conan The Barbarian Versus Sheena: Warrior Princess' (you don't have to search for this film on Amazon, you knuckle-draggers out there, it doesn't exist).
Once in a while-a long while-a movie comes along that is more than a simple film; it is a form of abstract art that is left up to the viewing public to decide exactly `what' it is. Those who enjoyed this film here at Amazon (4 or 5 star reviews) seem to understand this. Perhaps the ape-like reviewers who gave it 1 or 2 stars ought to look over these other reviewers histories and contemplate (that means `to think about', for those who don't like big words) WHY they gave it a higher review.
But let's dive into the film . . .
This is the story of a town that is dying (preparing to be submerged underwater by a dam development). And while the town is dying, a young boy (possibly an angel who was shot down and lost his wings), too, is passing on. He's dropped off at Father Harlan's church (played excellently by Nick Nolte) as the adopted parents flee the rising water (they claim he's too sick to make the voyage out of Northfork, but there's a reason for this if you watch carefully).
Peter Coyote, Mark Polish, and several other black-clad men in spiffy suits and perfectly buffed cars have been assigned to help the last holdouts of Northfork evacuate. . . peacefully or otherwise. Carried by all of these well groomed men is a special suitcase with a pair of angel wings in them. Why? Keep watching!
As the waters from the dam continue to rise, the dying boy becomes more and more ill, having "visions" of angels who are searching for . . . him? Maybe. Is this young boy the missing angel? Or are these creatures simply a figment of the boys imagination, a dying minds last few images (there is, after all, a Cup Of Tea, a Flower and a Hercules magazine, and other items on his bedside table that could explain where these ethereal images came from, right?)?
The filming of this story is extraordinary. It is a sheer joy to watch. It is uplifting (in the end), and has a message for all of us: we aren't just here to watch ourselves come into the world, but to watch ourselves leave as well.
This film's cast is unbelievable, too. It stars Nick Nolte, Darryl Hannah, Peter Coyote, Anthony Edwards, Kyle MacLachlan, Mark Polish, James Woods, and a smattering of other highly regarded actors and actresses. When you get a cast like this to come and be in your film, you've done something right. And the Polish brothers (the makers of this film) have NOT done something right; they've done something PERFECT.
Rating: -
I want my 100 minutes back. I am normally very open-minded and receptive to offbeat, quirky films. It is a rare film in which I can find nothing positive to say. Welcome. After the first hour and fifteen minutes of trying to be open-minded, a growing sense of anger enveloped me that there simply was no hope that this film would be comprehensible in the least. One would need to be on a double dose of a severely hallucinogenic, mind-altering drug to find any sense in this absolutely pointless pile of cinematic excrement. Pay no heed to the description on the box. You have been warned.
Rating: -
This film is based on the first screenplay by brothers Michael and Mark Polish, though it is the third of their trilogy to be filmed.
Set in a small Montana town in the 1950s, this is the story of town with a mythic past that is now doomed. A dam will submerge the town soon, so there is palpable, imagic tension as three storylines develop: first, a young adopted boy, dying, is returned to Fr. Harlan (Nick Nolte) as his parents leave town, so the priest keeps vigil over the youngster and comforts him as much as possible; secondly, six agents (including James Woods and Mark Polish) with a monetary incentive have been sent to roust out those landholders who refuse to budge, and they have a number of surrealistic experiences along the way; finally, whenever the young boy collapses he encounters four purported angels who seem to be searching for him.
It would be interesting to give this premise to a half dozen filmmakers and see the various movies they come up with; in the Polish brothers' case, we get a remarkable melange of images and themes -- angels, death, wings, bearing witness to each other, loneliness and human grief -- all set in a dream-like landscape. The cast is flawless, the pacing is slow (which makes it easier to enjoy the extraordinary visuals), and the stark situation is emphasized using a variety of techniques to film in color though almost always appearing to be black & white.
It's fascinating to listen to the brothers' commentary which tells us, among other things, that these guys were basically bankrupt when they made the film and that their father became the production designer because he was the only person who, when asked to build an ark, just said "How big?".
In addition to a fascinating (and essential) commentary track, extras include a series of featurettes collectively running 36 minutes and called "BareKnuckle Filmmaking: the Construction of Northfork", which delves into the genesis, production and filming of this remarkable film, including great comments from the actors; a trailer; and a Sundance Channel 4-1/2-minute featurette about the brothers in Montana, their homestate and the location of filming.
I'm amazed at the polarity of the reviews on this movie, and would suggest that if you are a person who likes straightforward narrative, this is probably not for you; however, if you enjoy life's amibiguities, mystery, symbolism and earlier Polish Brothers' films -- get this as quickly as you can. It is unique and breathtaking. These talented siblings are two of the most innovative visionaries in cinema today. When others' films are long forgotten, our grandchildren will be watching these films. These guys are totally underappreciated, and I hope they make films forever. It doesn't seem right that they have to struggle to get their works filmed, but I'm so grateful to them for all the passion and effort that they bring to their projects and with which they inspire their colleagues.
Rating:  -
I typically enjoy complicated, thought provoking films. 45 minutes into the movie I was totally clueless. I stopped the DVD 1/2 way through the film and went to the "special features" to watch the documentary & background about the directors. That helped, a little. I still don't get a lot of the symbolism & I was anticipating a dramatic flood scene at the end that never came.
I appreciate the beautiful cinematography and I think I appreciate the director's intentions. The wonderful performances of James Woods, Nick Nolte, Daryl Hannah, Anthony Edwards deserve acknowledgement. Sadly, NORTHFORK left me with an empty, unresolved feeling. A feeling that NORTHFORK could have been better.
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