This film addresses the first case of success in which a group of female workers won the firm in court in a class action of harassment and sexual discrimination. Everything happens in the mines of Minnesota but, over a real case, director Niki Caro and screenwriter Michael Seitzman decided to create a deeply melodramatic story centered on the figure of a young woman, mother of two children from different parents and with a past marred by rape and a bad marriage. She becomes the main target of the jokes, obscene gestures and provocations of the miners, who feel that women are stealing jobs from men. The story is very emotional but works well anyway. An interesting point is that, even when things are tense, the two sides are not defined by their sex, that is, even in those moments there are women who are not in favor of complaining, just as there are men who don't approve of the rude and coarse attitudes of their fellows. This allows the public to understand that the issue is not men vs. women, goes far beyond mere sexism.Charlize Theron is a good actress but seems visually too young for the character sometimes. Anyway, she managed to shine. Richard Jenkins has been OK but acts in a predictable way. Frances McDormand did very well, especially in the final half of the movie, where she really shows talent. Jeremy Renner manages to be truly despicable as the villain. Technically regular, it's a good movie and it deserves to be watched.

Charlize Theron stars in "North Country," a 2005 film directed by Niki Caro and also starring Frances McDormand, Sean Bean, Richard Jenkins, Sissy Spacek, and Woody Harrelson. It's the fictionalized account of Jenson v. Eveleth Mines, the 1984 landmark sexual harassment lawsuit.Theron plays Josey Aimes, who returns with her two children to her parents' home in northern Minnesota after leaving an abusive husband. Not that living with her parents is any picnic. Her father (Jenkins) thinks she's a slut, and her mother wants her to reconcile with her husband.Anxious to make her own money and get out of the house, Josey gets a job in the local iron mine, though women are not welcome there. In order to get a job, Josey endures a pelvic exam to make sure she is not pregnant. That's the least of it. All the women in the mine, she soon finds out, have to put up with sexual innuendos, advances, obscenities on the walls, in their lunch boxes and lockers. Pleas to the president are answered with the suggestion that she quit. Finally, after a brutal attack, Josie takes the legal route.This film has some problems, one of which is that it's somehow turned into a melodrama; another problem is that the director is not an American and had no idea of the politics or culture depicted; the third problem is the script by Michael Seitzman.Jensen v. Eveleth Mines was a very important case, but here it's more or less pushed aside for some very incorrect courtroom drama and focuses instead of Josey's past and the knowledge that one of the miners, Bobby Sharp (Jeremy Renner), has about it, and Josey's rift with her young son.There are some wonderful scenes and performances in this: Theron, Jenkins, Spacek, McDormand and Renner are terrific, but this film could have been great. Instead it's just okay.

Well, I first saw this movie back in 2006. Recently I realized I didn't remember a thing about it, maybe because I was too young when saw it, so I just saw it again.North Country is a good movie that involves many of the issues we have all around the world. Prejudice, sexism, intolerance, among others. Here it is easy to understand the maxim "if you want to test a man's character, give him power". It's quite easy to realize that too much power concentrated in one/few people is going to create problems and injustice.I found interesting the scene that Kyle talks to Sammy and explains him how wrong it is for him to hate his mother. Very good conversation over there. That's the famous "reverse psychology". Great movie overall.

Inspired by actual events, a mother of two out of necessity goes to work as a miner, but is met with outrageous and disgraceful discrimination and harassment because of her gender. With all the odds stacked against her, can she win a court case against her employers?The lead actress Charlize Theron, must surely be the best dramatic performer in the States at the moment. She is stunning and outstanding in her role.The production is first class and one can almost feel, taste and touch the mining community in the way the film is presented. The whole movie has a ring of authenticity about it and every single player gives a full throttle believable portrayal.This picture had me engrossed from start to finish:Hence deserves top or near top marks:9/10