NORTH COUNTRY

[Moviefan02000]

http://www.cinema.com/image_lib/9350_poster.jpg

When Josey Aimes returns to her hometown in Northern Minnesota after a failed marriage, she needs a good job. A single mother with two children to support, she turns to the predominant source of employment in the region - the iron mines. The last thing the miners want is women competing for scarce jobs - women who, in their estimation, have no business driving trucks and hauling rock anyway. When Josey speaks out against the treatment she and her fellow workers face it takes her farther than she ever imagined, ultimately inspiring countless others, and leading to the nation's first-ever class action lawsuit for sexual harassment.

Genres: Drama

Running Time: 2 hrs. 6 min.

Release Date: October 14th, 2005 (wide)

MPAA Rating: R for sequences involving sexual harassment including violence and dialogue, and for language.

Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures Distribution

Starring: Charlize Theron, Frances McDormand, Sissy Spacek, Woody Harrelson, Sean Bean

Directed by: Niki Caro

Produced by: Nick Wechsler, Helen Bartlett, Nana Greenwald

http://www.cinema.com/image_lib/9350_001.jpg

[ilovemovies]

I thought it looked good but Ebert and Roeper's review makes me want to see it more. They really made it sound great.

[Hannibal21]

I'm looking forward to this. Thus far, Charlize Theron is certainly not disappointing in choosing interesting roles and movies to work with post receiving her Oscar. And in this film, it doesn't look like her role/performance will be as showy and theatrical as her Aileen Wuornos characterization in 'Monster' (although mind you, I did LOVE her performance in that film), which would indicate a good chance for Theron to finally give a subtle, far more nuanced performance, something I'm counting on and hoping for.

Plus, it's got Sean Bean and Woody Harrelson!

...as well as two of the best actresses working today, Sissy Spacek and Frances McDormand!

[Kucha]

Basically what Hannibal21 said. Im very interested in this movie and will check it out opening night.

[bankholdup]

I didn't think it looked that great until I finally saw the actual trailer last night before The Squid and the Whale. Looks amazing! Can't wait to see this one.

[Lazy Boy]

Whale Rider was an amazing film. Niki Caro has a good track record with her leading actresses; Keisha Castle-Hughes was great, and Charlize Theron looks really good in this one.

I just hope it doesn't go too over the top in the courtroom scenes, though.

[thedudeman69]

Originally posted by Lazy Boy

I just hope it doesn't go too over the top in the courtroom scenes, though.

Like Monster did? They shouldn't because this doesn't the questionable direction of Patty Jenkins. :D

[eljefe15]

Looks amazing, I'm definitely checking this out.

Peace...

[Edie0027]

I like Charlize-- she had me since the Devil's Advocate before she was anybody. (I kept asking, "who is that AShley Judd look alike) She's talented-- I will see this...

[chinton]

While this is not a subtle and a little bit too strident at times I found this too be a surprisngly well amde and classy film. Charlize Theron shold get on an oscar for this. Its a sublt performance too abd she already got for her showboating performance in Monster.

8/10

[Lazy Boy]

5/10

*SPOILERS*


"Till the Spinner of the Years
Says "Now!" And each one hears,
And consummation comes, and jars two hemispheres." - Thomas Hardy

Two halves, one good, one bad. Together, they form North Country, a slobbering puppy who wants Oscar glory and a chance to discuss a widespread problem on the work force. Problem is, the few recognizable good points come after an hour of manipulative, overbearing material. The vile acts of the working men are indeed cruel and debased, but it seems like Niki Caro couldn't let it play out without shoveling it on with a trowel. A fellow female worker who gets sick? Sure, the film has enough Lifetime movie of the week quality to it. Wouldn't make a difference. A laughably over the top courtroom sequence? Why not?

Charlize Theron is Oscar bound, perhaps; she gets to play a martyr and a "complex" woman at the same time. Much has been made about her willingness to dirty herself up and bare her soul, but she barely registers. All the filmmakers have to do is show crude sexual obscenities thrown her way or have her slammed around a bit. Let the audience fill in the gaps. Frances McDormand gets to play disease movie of the week victim, a more world weary Marge Gunderson. Woody Harrelson gives a nice quiet performance -- watch his scene in a bar, dealing with a young woman -- up until he has to shout out the movie's message in the big courtroom finale, which is supposed to make the audience cheer but comes off as revolting.

A disappointing second film from Caro, whose Whale Rider similarly followed a young woman facing the impossible odds against a patriarchal society.

[chinton]

darn too abd you didnt like it

[optimus1]

It has to be that panty shot in Devils Advocate that sold you on Theron I just know it :)

[jaw2929]

*POSSIBLE SPOILERS*

I saw this one this weekend as well, and thought it was VERY well done... Charlize Theron playing the feminine "hero" throughout, its based off a true story and follows in the same vein as such movies like "Erin Brockovich", etc.

Theron's character leaves her abusive husband and takes her 2 young children with her, to start a new life on her own, working in the predominantly male Cole Mines in Northern Minnesota... She gets her job, but finds out that because she's a female she constantly gets harassed/threatened and played pranks on while at work....

After enough of this, she finally decides to quit her job and sue the fuck outta the Company she worked for.... Woody Harrelson plays her love interest and doubles as her lawyer as well... I also quite liked how her relationship seemed real, and of course in true typical Hollywood form, everything works out in the end! :p

I still recommend this to anyone who likes a good drama and who enjoys staring at Charlize Theron like I do! ;)

[Moviefan02000]

One of the most disappointing, if not the most disappointing film of the year. Theron was average, the better actress was the one that played the younger version of her. Frances McDormand and Woody deserve Oscar nominations for sure! Not bad but not very good either.

6/10 (B-)

[ilovemovies]

Excellent movie. Easily one of the best of the year. Charlize Theron deserves another oscar nomination without a doubt and the supporting cast is simply superb. Richard Jenkins is especially excellent. The scene where he defends his daughter in the union meeting near the end is pretty powerful. It's also nice to see Sean Bean play a nice guy for a change.

Also, I don't know why people keep saying that they uglified Theron in this movie. She may not be a glamerous movie star here but she is still utterly gorgeous! Now they did uglify her in Monster but that's a different story. Here she is still incredibly beautiful.