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Norma Rae Redux:
North Country
10-21-05 "Knight Thoughts" film review
by Richard Knight, Jr.
With the support of Frances McDormand and Sissy Spacek, Charlize Theron heads to Sally Field territory
North Country offers Charlize Theron the chance to strap on what a friend of mine has termed the "Meryl Streep Silkwood shag"
and take on the male dominated corporate culture.  The character and the story arc are so similar in tone to the struggle Sally Field's
Norma Rae Webster experienced that the movie might almost be called "Norma Rae Redux."

It's 1989 and Theron playing Josey Aimes, victim of a wife beater, is forced to return home to live with her bitterly disappointed
father Hank (Richard Jenkins) and her less than supportive mother (Sissy Spacek).  Her job prospects low, Theron decides to take a
job at the dangerous mines where her father works even though the ratio of men to women is 30 to 1.  She's encouraged by Glory
(Frances McDormand), an old friend who already works at the mines.  When she walks in the door and announces her decision her
father says, "So now you want to be a lesbian."

But Josey's determined to support her kids and she endures the backbreaking work at the mines and the sexual taunts of her
coworkers and soon has enough money to take her kids to their first "fancy restaurant" -- a fast food joint.  A few scenes later Josey
has even scraped enough money together to put a down payment on a house but by now the ugly whisper campaign which defines
all the women working in the mines in the townspeople's minds as "nuts or sluts" has reached the ears of her rebellious pre-teen
son who starts causing trouble.

And trouble at home is multiplied by an increase in the sexual harassment after Josey complains to the owner of the company.  Her
co-workers, including the boisterous Big Betty (Rusty Schwimmer) and Sherry (Michelle Monaghan) are supportive to a small degree
-- they need their jobs and can't afford to risk the wrath of management.

Finally, after a brutal incident of sexual and emotional harassment, Josey quits and with the aid of her new boyfriend, a lawyer
(Woody Harrelson), she decides to sue the company.

The rest of the movie hinges on the outcome of the trial and who will -- and won't -- support Josey's suit.

Theron, after the glamorous artistic free spirit she played in
Head in the Clouds, returns to poverty level reality and gives a tough
gritty performance.  She receives terrific support, especially by McDormand and Jenkins with Spacek and Theron's co-workers,
Schwimmer (FULL DISCLOSURE: a friend of mine) and Monaghan.  Director Niki Caro captures the bleak though strangely beautiful
Iron Mountain Range of upper Minnesota where the mines are located and keeps things moving briskly.  The movie (which is based
on a true story) uses the testimony of Anita Hill before Congress during the Clarence Thomas hearings as sort of a Greek chorus.  
It's constantly playing in the background and seems to be crying out a warning to the characters or echoing what they're feeling.  But
somehow, although the characters keep telling you how passionate they are about the sexual harassment issue, it doesn't seem
somehow, well, compelling.

What is compelling and moving is the emotional story of the growth and understanding of the relationship between Josey and her
father and mother.  This is particularly satisfying and much more interesting than the outcome of the suit.  "What I want is the
respect that I'm entitled to!" Faye Dunaway/Joan Crawford barked at poor Christina and that's exactly what Josey/Theron wants, too.  
And we in the audience want it for her.  The whole movie is shaped in that direction and when it comes it's very rewarding.  I don't
believe knowing this will spoil your enjoyment of the film so I've foregone the "spoiler alert" warning up top.  If it does feel free to
sue me.