Northpointe

Desperation strikes during the toughest moments, and that is reflected in Northpointe by director-screenwriter Rick Pate. In this vignette-style drama, we follow two men stuck in the grind of their working-class environment. Justin (Joe Howell) lives with his gambling-obsessed grandfather, Roy (Jay Fry), and he simultaneously juggles college and working at a quickie mart. Malik (Trey Dawson) is working hard to get out of Northpointe, but this is not enough for his girlfriend, Belle (Sunami Rodriguez). She is frustrated because he has no job and no money. This makes their relationship more challenging, as he is an optimist and believes his current position in life is temporary.

Justin is on pins and needles at his job because he has yet to receive his first paycheck from his shady boss. His night is relatively normal as he listens to a conversation between a pimp and his hookers. After the pimp and hookers leave, Justin’s uneventful evening takes a shocking turn when he is held up at gunpoint by a masked robber. Desperation can lead a person to make radical decisions.

“Malik is working hard to get out of Northpointe, but this is not enough for his girlfriend, Belle.”

Rick Pate’s film speaks directly to the struggles of a young 20-something, regardless of one’s economic status. Each of the characters is well-defined due to their distinct perspectives on life. The distinctive point of view allows for a perfect mixture of optimism and cynicism. Trey Dawson and Jay Fry stand out with their charismatic performances as they both portray complex men.

The film comes to life with fantastic drone shots and second-unit footage from cinematographer Patrick Meier. Meier’s cinematography is beautifully photographed and adds a soft, polished texture to contrast with the hopelessness expressed by our lead characters. Northpointe has great promise for a potential feature film, as it ends with the perfect inciting incident! Watch this film for the engaging performances of Rick Pate’s talented cast.