North Country

2005. Directed by Niki Caro. Screenplay by Michael Seitzman based on the book by Clara Bingham. Starring Charlize Theron, Frances McDormand, Woody Harrelson, Sean Bean, Richard Jenkins, and Sissy Spacek.

North Country is a feel good movie that pulls the right strings without being overly manipulative. It has a good story at its heart as it follows the story of Josey Aimes, a female miner who brought a landmark case of sexual harassment against her company. Charlize Theron is not as good here as she was in her knockout performance in Monster, but she is still quite good and deserved her Oscar nomination. Fellow nominee Frances McDormand, one of the premier character actors working today, is also very good - though she likely received the nomination more for the role and what happens to her character than for the performance itself. The direction isn't terribly impressive but the story and acting pull it through. The father's transformation, in front of his union, is very effective and moving - even if you see it coming. And throwing in a ton of Bob Dylan songs never hurts.

My grade: B