What is the American Dream worth to you? Would you be willing to leave your current life behind by uprooting to a rural town in North Dakota for just a shot at gaining employment in some factory? For many Americans, unfortunately, they have no choice but to risk it all with no guarantee of a better future. It’s a struggle that no one should experience, but as director Jesse Moss artfully captures in his documentary The Overnighters, this situation is all too familiar to many people. With help from Paster Jay Reinke, those who wander onto the doorstep of his church are given shelter, food, and much needed emotional support. Pastor Reinke’s “Overnighters” program changed the lives of hundreds, however, the ultimate effect it had on the community was too much to bear. In a captivating story, Reinke and the overnighters face a harsh reality with dire consequences, as they discover that no good deed goes unpunished.
The town of Williston, North Dakota is the definition of a rural country community and the perfect visual companion to the desperation of the migrants. North Dakota, in general, isn’t portrayed much in films, and it’s not hard to see why this lone state is not the desired location for prospective projects, or people, for that matter. North Dakota attracts a wide spectrum of people hoping for their last shot, those who have struck out “back home” and are looking for a clean slate. Criminal history and sketchy pasts are overlooked by Pastor Reinke, who literally houses strangers in his family’s home, which he shares with a wife and children. A naive move on his part, skeptical audience members (including myself) will find it extremely uncomfortable when the Pastor invites a registered sex offender to stay at his home. In his mind, he is living the word of God, but in the eyes of his neighbors, friends, and the community in general, he is one step away from a devastating outcome.
The motivational undertones make one want to invest the time to watch it- although it is hard to silently sit through Pastor Jay’s naive actions without saying out loud, “Are you crazy?”
A timely film that shows the struggles men and women of all ages encounter trying to stay afloat in today’s economy may hit pretty close to home, but this is a story about perseverance, not one looking for sympathy or a handout. The motivational undertones make one want to invest the time to watch it- although it is hard to silently sit through Pastor Jay’s naive actions without saying out loud, “Are you crazy?”
Jesse Moss struck gold with this documentary; he tells the story that many people have experienced without exploitation or loss of dignity. To find a story this compelling in the tiny town of Williston is like finding a needle in a haystack, and while Moss does an excellent job with 95% of the film, it’s the last 5% that really resonates with me. Without spoiling this unforeseen twist at the end, there is a loss of direction by trying to incorporate too many hot button topics into one film; the ‘surprise ending’ seemed forced and rushed. Though I can’t take away its shock factor, nor doubt its credibility, however, I don’t see how it helps propel the story that The Overnighters originally set to tell.
At the heart of the film, The Overnighters is not just about the nation’s poor economy or the universal stereotype against the unemployed, rather, it is a film about humans and how our beliefs attempt to make the world and each other, better. With constant talk of how poor the economy is, and the hardships of the job market, it’s clear that this film is an answer that serves as both entertaining and insightful about the current state of our nation from the perspective of those affected. The Overnighters has already screened in a variety of festivals and has taken home a slew of awards, including the Special Jury Prize at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. This is one documentary not to be missed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5ER9Yo5Bfg
