If it seems like you’ve heard this story before, you probably have. Niki Caro’s North Country, the fictionalized account of a groundbreaking sexual harassment case in 1984, is the story of the little man going up against the big corporation. However, this time it’s a woman and not only is she going up against a corporation, but she is also finding justice for the skeletons in her closet.
The movie takes place in a dead-end town in Minnesota, where women know their place and few venture from their husband’s shadow. Charlize Theron plays the role of Josey Aimes, a battered wife with two young children. When she finally flees to her parents’ home, she disdainfully meets with her father, played by Richard Jenkins, who seems utterly disapproving of her. Giving her further cause to seek independence, her friend Glory, played by the Oscar-winning Frances McDormand, tells her about a mine that is hiring women. Josey is warned that if she wants to survive there she must put on a tough skin to endure the verbal abuse the male mineworkers use towards the few female workers. Plastering obscenities on the wall, sabotaging their locker rooms and physically molesting the women are just a few of the daily problems the women face.
Josey can handle the abuse until rumors begin to fly about her alleged involvement with a co-worker (and former high-school boyfriend). When these accusations begin to effect her children’s lives, she takes action by enlisting the help of Bill White, played by Woody Harrelson, a despairing New York City lawyer. They take the mine to court and there Josey is forced to confront demons from her past which end up helping her move on with her life.
Reminiscent of Erin Brockovich, North Country presents to the viewer a substantial plot as well as substantial acting from a strong cast (Sissy Spacek even plays a minor role as Josey’s mother). Even though several of the characters are not given full opportunity to be developed, such as McDormand and Harrelson’s, their roles support the film well enough.
However, the biggest flaws of the film seem to take place in the courtroom, where flashbacks and drawn-out scenes “beat a dead horse.”
Most outstanding is Theron’s performance. Theron once again branches out into a more complicated role. She is not afraid of alienating her fans, and her selection of roles (namely in Monster) reveal her penchant for diversity. That in and of itself, only adds to the appeal of this movie. Though by no means a light-hearted film, North Country’s redemptive themes remain after the closing credits, making for a satisfied viewing.