Northfork

It reminded me being in university, sitting in the small office of my lecturer on a hot sunny day. All the 10 of us are analysing a poem for hours which are like random words put next to each other. If I was to put a word in that poem before the consultation started no one would realise that and would have an even longer conversation why is that word in there. I felt the same watching Northfork.

So after surviving the 103 minutes I quickly had a look what people are saying about it on various websites. Have others enjoyed it, understood it? To my surprise there were many intelligent, positive reviews. Mine is not going to be so intelligent or positive but I’ll try my best to write down how I felt about the film.

The film itself can be described as arty, unique, senseless stories tied together with a glue which doesn't stick. Surreal, but overall not particularly interesting. Around 15 minutes in I kind of realised what this film is about. 6 men in hats has the task to evacuate the residents living in a dam site area on the Northfork River in Montana.

Parallel to that we also have a little sick boy being left by his parents with the priest of the community.  4 characters being introduced who are bizarre at first, and then all the way through. Once I acknowledge that 4 characters are in the little boy’s dream I felt better aka confused again. In bizarre dreams anything can happen and it so did. If anyone can figure out what the ghost story was about the author must have explained it to them but not to me.

Within the cast we have James Woods who felt flat to me and I was disappointed. I saw him in some brilliant roles like in Once Upon a Time in America, Casino and Family Guy and always thought highly of him. The lack of the plot just killed him as well as the others. Nick Nolte, Daryl Hannah, Anthony Edwards, Ben Foster. I was happy to see their names on the cover of the DVD before we started. Well it didn’t mattered on forming my view on the film.

There are two big positives about this film I have to admit. The scenery and cinematography. I loved the color they are using. It fits so well with the mood of the film which are gloomy, arty, slow, tired. Fantastic wide angle shots and close ups on faces like old photographs.

There is a fine line in story telling between giving something to the audience or confusion them. I think this film just missed that fine line. If the story can't be interpreted by us in a way we understand and enjoy it then it is not told right. The film missed the point it wanted to make, if it wanted to make any at the first place.

Slow, long and confusing...great entertainment (for those who like that). I’m not one of them.

Mean Creek

Now that is the award season I should be writing about films which were nominated on the Golden Globe, BAFTA and later on for the Oscars but  I’m not going to do that. First of all I haven’t seen that many from the list.  I know it is not acceptable so I will get back on to it but first of all I write about the film I saw a couple of days ago and I was blown away by it. The title is Mean Creek. Have you heard about it?

Well if you haven’t seen it please do. It is a masterpiece. I truly recommend it. 

The story is simple in a way that most people have probably thought of before. Well you can summaries it into one sentence. “When a teen is bullied, his brother and friends lure the bully into the woods to seek vengeance.”  On its surface a simple story, but the slow action gives time to examine the characters, their motivations, and how peer pressure causes individuals to act in ways they would otherwise never consider. 

The performances are so believable and realistic. It would be really hard to pick a stand out one because unlike some of the films today, all the six leads were stand outs. Ryan Kelley, Rory Culkin, Scott Mechlowicz, Trevor Morgan, Josh Peck and Carly Schroeder - their performances are so genuine and authentic that I had the impression of seeing a documentary rather than a fictional movie. (I’m not exaggerating) They interact in a natural way that is stunning in its simplicity and leaves you with the feeling of getting a first-hand insight into the heart and soul of the struggling life of young teenagers on the edge of adulthood. 

The writer and director, Jacob Aaron Estes has memorized those young people for what they really are.. The fat but "cool" kid with all the new gadgets bulling all those who are smaller and smarter, the brother who can't stand to see his brother get pushed around, the young teenaged girl with so much to learn and experience, the almost adult man taking a lead and giving the orders and the sensitive skinny guy. It makes you going back time to remember names of people you haven't thought about in years, and that just makes it so much more terrifying when the plan goes wrong. If a few different choices had been made, it seems, this could have happened to anyone.

The cinematography is just stunning. There are so many quite moment when all we can see is the flowing river, or a close up of the threes around, faces, smiles, the nature but it still gives a natural paste to the film.  Sharone Meir ‘s photography isn’t showy, but it gives the river sequences in particular a kind of quiet elegance.

For such a child-filled movie, this is a grown-up story. I can’t believe it was out in 2004 and it took me 7 years to find it and watch it. There are only 3 words I can say about this film, rent, watch, and enjoy! You won’t regret it.