Northfork 2003

In this evocative film, set in the charming town of Northfork, Montana during the year 1955, the community faces a monumental change as a new dam threatens to drown their valley. The residents grapple with an urgent and existential choice: flee their beloved home or stay and risk being consumed by the inevitable flood. Against this backdrop of turmoil, a handful of characters find themselves caught between worlds, hesitating to abandon the only place they’ve ever truly called home.

Among them is Walter O’Brien, played by Anthony Edwards, who, alongside his son, takes on the role of part of the evacuation team. Their mission is to rescue the last of Northfork’s residents, with the government promising them a lucrative reward of lakeside property, should they meet their quota of evacuees. Meanwhile, the kind-hearted Father Harlan, portrayed by Nick Nolte, has chosen to remain in the town to care for Irwin, a fragile orphan on the brink of death, who cannot muster the strength to leave.

As Walter and his team engage with a diverse cast of townsfolk, the audience becomes intimately acquainted with Irwin’s journey. While he sifts through the echoes of his family’s history, Irwin stumbles upon a mysterious suitcase containing a pair of ethereal angel wings and a Bible embellished with an angel’s feather. This unexpected discovery triggers a vivid series of dreams where he meets a celestial family of angels, leading him to strike a deal for a journey of 1,000 miles away.

The film intricately entwines these narratives, exploring profound themes of identity, community, and the indomitable resilience of the human spirit. As the clock ticks down on Northfork’s fate, each character is compelled to face their personal demons and navigate the poignant question of what it truly means to be “at home” — whether that home is a physical location or a sanctuary within their hearts.