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North Country
Directed by: Niki Caro
Starring: Charlize Theron
Genre:
Drama
Run Time: 126
min.
Release Date:
October 2005
On The Web:
Official
Site
Teaser:
Movie Trailer
Reviewed by
Byron Merritt |
NORTH COUNTRY is a story
we've heard many times before: small-town person is persecuted by
big-time company, fights, loses ground, but in the end succeeds. This is
ERIN BROKOVICH and SILKWOOD all over again, but put in a sort of
COAL
MINER'S DAUGHTER setting (we even get to see Sissy Spacek!) Although
this film focuses on the case that ultimately set the stage for the
prevention of sexual harassment in the workplace, the movie's message
dwarfed the actors.
One thing I love about films - if done right - is they get us up-close
and intimate with a character or characters.
CAPOTE did it. RAY did too.
And WALK THE LINE was also excellently done. They focused on one
character and so had that advantage, but NORTH COUNTRY is about one
woman, too, named Josey Aimes played by the uglied-down (again!)
Charlize Theron (AEON FLUX). Mrs. Theron has proven her metal thanks to
her stunning portrayal (and Oscar win) in MONSTER. We've all heard the
accolades thrown down at her feet, so I won't bother you with a recap.
Suffice to say she did an excellent job. Here in NORTH COUNTRY she also
did some fine acting, but the script dashed any chances of reclaiming an
Oscar. Frances McDormand (also in
AEON FLUX) is notable as the
hard-bitten friend who gets Josey Aimes the job at the local mine.
McDormand's tough love appearance on screen was well-played, and her
eventual fall into Lou Gehrig's Disease pitiable.
The filming of NORTH COUNTRY is pulled off well, too. The muted grays,
dark browns, and dull colors of the mine give us the feel of a black and
white film. As one actress pointed out in the DVD's extra features,
"There weren't any pinks in the mine."
Where the film fell apart, again, was in the script. Jumping to
flashbacks and trying to capture the family dynamic, the townsfolk
sentiments, and dozens of other side stories all pulled the viewer away
from the main character and tried to force-feed us the no-no's of sexual
harassment. I'm not trying to downplay harassment in the workplace. It's
an important message, but one that doesn't necessarily translate to an
enjoyable film experience. For example, with the exception of Woody
Harrelson, all the other minor characters are easily forgettable (and I
suspect the only reason I remember Woody that well is because I was a
CHEERS fan).
You'll note below that Charlize Theron and Frances McDormand both got
quite a few nominations but won none of them. There's a reason, folks.
Oscar Nomination: Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
Oscar Nomination: Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
BAFTA Nomination: Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
BAFTA Nomination: Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
Golden Globe Nomination: Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion
Picture - Drama
Golden Globe Nomination: Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting
Role in a Motion Picture
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Image from North Country
DVD cost: $9.99
Purchase:
BestPrices.com
Film Review Stew
Favorite? No.
Stew Poo-Poo? No.
Newsworthy:
Some of the women standing
up in the last courtroom scene were real plaintiffs.
Movie Quote: "You're
taking jobs where there aren't any to take. These boys aren't your
friends."
Other Actors/Actresses
from North Country
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