Wesley Crusberg, (Northfork) Post #3

Northfork, is a wonderful movie that takes place in the United States in a small town that has to have every person within it leave due to a damn being built that in turn will make a man-made lake. To me the movie represented struggle of wanted to find a more prospering life for yourself or loved ones. The movie has an ensemble cast with Nick Nolte leading the way. The movie is filled with images that are majestic and sacred and shows examples of faith faltering and faith rebuilding.
One way the movie provides an example of faith faltering is Nick Nolte’s character. This is odd to me at first because he is a reverend and also the owner of an orphanage. The entire orphanage has been evacuated and there is no one left but one boy. The boy is sick and Nolte’s character cannot just leave him behind. No one wants the boy so Nolte’s character stays behind as well as he watches person after person leave Northfork.
While Nolte’s character represents faith depleting, the boy never gives up faith. His imagination leads him to an abandoned house where he meets four angels who all look nothing like angels usually look. They say they are searching for their long lost angel and the boy claims to be him. The movie is interesting in this depiction because the boy makes the entire thing up in his head. The objects on his dresser are what the angels imitate and through his imagination the boys brings these angels to life.
I was lost in watching this film because the symbolism was all over the place. The people represented something but I was not sure what. James Woods was a man hired to relocate people and with his son they were able to reach all but one, missing their quote and so they were not able to get a new car and they were unable to get new land. I believe the Woods character represented a new start. His character wanted what was best for him and his son and he was willing to do anything. There was a house made from a boat symbolizing Noah’s ark and a sense of stability. I say this because the couple within the home refused to leave and they were determined to stay put and wait it out. Their faith was amazing and they did in fact stay and wait for the flood.
All in all the movie was rich with symbolism and it was a great portrayal of what men will do to accomplish their needs and the needs for those around them.