North Country

Set in the late 1980s comes the story of Josey Aimes, a small-towner and single mother of two with a sordid past that she's tried for years to put behind her. Living with her parents and wanting to make things better for herself and her children, she takes a job at a thriving Minnesota iron mine where only a handful of women work under constant oppression and harassment from their lascivious male co-workers. Despite her degrading reputation, the possible consequences, and a working staff that seems unwilling to help, she files a lawsuit determined to reclaim her dignity and bridge the gender gap. Although well-crafted, acted, and based on true events, this oddly never convinces; the plotting and characters are set up far too easily, and the intended dramatic climax doesn't pack any punch. Theron is quite good, so is Jenkins as her stern, conflicted dad, surrounded by a capable cast, but the story fails to rise above the level of convention. **½

30 December 2005. North Country is "Erin Brockovich" times five. This is a powerful, compelling movie that is solid, hard-edged, and penetrating to the core of important social issues today. From domestic violence, sexual harassment, to sexual stereotypes, to dysfunctional families, to parent-child relationships, this movie is one of the most incredible movies to come out in many, many years. If it had been nominated for best picture in 2000 when "Erin Brockovich" lost to "Gladiator," it is likely that it would have an good chance of winning. This is a superlative movie with great acting, strong performances, and wonderful, intimate, and emotional tough script that powers home. Except for a weak and unnecessary final scene, this movie seems perfect in all its elements. Nine out of Ten Stars.

Here in Minnesota the case was pretty hight profile. Obviously, these women endured some really nasty stuff. We are brought inside the situation. It's hard to believe that a large group of people wouldn't at least be afraid of forces that had already been put in place. It's a good story and Theron holds it together. The problem is that it gets so maudlin at the end that all that good storytelling seems to slip into a vacuum. Corn was OK in the 1940's, but contemporary audiences have an awareness that makes this seem really saccharine. I'd be interested to see how much of the the last quarter of the film actually happened. Were the miners as monstrous as portrayed? I guess one would have to go back to the trial accounts. Theron's character was certainly the wrong one to mess with. It would be interesting to see how the taconite industry is doing and what sort of employees are still there working.