North Country film review

certificate_15

NORTH COUNTRY

For any skeptics who thought Charlize Theron's Oscar win for Monster was prompted as much by seeing the beautiful actress looking unrecognizably dowdy as it was for her powerful portrayal of serial killer Aileen Wuornos, North Country is further proof that Theron is not just a pretty face. As with Monster, North Country is a fictionalized version of true events, and again Theron's fine cheeks aren't required as much as her acting chops, with the result that she may well garner another Academy nomination.

Based on Clara Bingham and Laura Leedy Gansler's book, 'Class Action: The Story of Lois Jensen and the Landmark Case That Changed Sexual Harassment Law', North Country is a serious minded social drama with political overtones featuring strong supporting performances from its laudable cast.

The term "inspired by a true story" which prefaces North Country is one Hollywood adopts whenever the truth isn't conveniently structured or dramatic enough and it is compelled to add the requisite ingredients to turn something into a neatly structured and satisfactory two-hour tale regardless of veracity. In this instance, it takes the case of Lois Jensen's long battle to sue the mining company where she worked for sexual harassment, one that had a critical influence on work practices in America.

Under the conscientious directing of Niki Caro, whose previous credits include the magical Whale Rider, North Country tackles an inflammatory topic in an absorbing manner. But there are moments where screenwriter Michael Seitzman's efforts to neatly encapsulate events and heighten the drama result in turning a real life story into something that at times feels contrived and never wholly genuine.

Theron plays single mother Josey Aimes, who leaves her abusive husband and returns to her Northern Minnesota roots. With her two young kids to support, Josey takes a job in the local mine, but not before her old friend Glory (Frances McDormand) warns her of the kind of abuse she should expect from the mine's bigoted, predominantly male, staff. But no warning could prepare her for the daily degradation suffered by the female workers. She finds no support for her outrage from her chauvinistic father and fellow miner (Richard Jenkins) or her meek mother (Sissy Spacek). Finally, after she's nearly raped she hires lawyer Bill White (Woody Harrelson) and takes her employers to court.