‘North Country’ inspires
Movie: “North Country”
Director: Niki Caro
Starring: Charlize Theron, Frances McDormand, Woody Harrelson and
Sissy Spacek
Genre: Drama
Grade: C
In 1975, the iron mines of Northern Minnesota hired its first female miner. By 1989, women were still outnumbered 30 to one.
In 1989, Josey Aimes (Theron), a mother of two, has just left her abusive husband and has moved in with her parents. Encouraged by her friend Glory (McDormand), Josey gets a job in the mines to support herself and her children. Little does she know how much of a contribution she would eventually make for women’s rights.
Men in the mines feel threatened by female employees, as the men believe the women are stealing jobs from men. They feel women can’t handle hard labor and women are a distraction and cause accidents. Even Josey’s father, a miner all his life, feels this way. As a result, the men harass the women.
Josey’s hopes to make a better future for her family put her at odds with her children, her disapproving parents and her community. It is through this struggle Josey finds the courage to stand up for what she believes in — even if that means standing alone. Ultimately, her journey takes her further than she could have ever imagined and inspires countless others to follow.
The entertainment in this movie is in the performances and the inspiring message the story brings, but it may be unlikely to watch it more than once.