North Country

Name: North Country
Genre: Drama
Released: October 14, 2005
Duration: 126 min
Rating: 68
Cast: Charlize Theron, Frances McDormand, Jeremy Renner

2005

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Generally favorable reviews based on 39 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 90 Ratings

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7.4

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7.4	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 90 Ratings

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North Country

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Movie Details & Credits

Warner Bros. Pictures | Release Date: October 14, 2005 | R

Starring: Charlize Theron, Frances McDormand, Jeremy Renner

Summary: Inspired by a true story, North Country follows a woman's journey on a road that will take her farther than she ever imagined, ultimately inspiring countless others, and leading to the nation's first-ever class action lawsuit for sexual harassment. (Warner Bros.)

Director: Niki Caro

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: R

Runtime: 126 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Roger Ebert

After "Monster," here is another extraordinary role from an actress [Theron] who has the beauty of a fashion model but has found resources within herself for these powerful roles about unglamorous women in the world of men. Read full review

Wesley Morris

It infuriated me. It broke my heart. It convinced me that Caro, who's from New Zealand, is a strong, clear-voiced filmmaker Read full review

Ann Hornaday

An engrossing, well-crafted story of a grave injustice avenged, hitting all the right notes of sympathy, outrage and, finally, relief. Read full review

David Ansen

Frances McDormand, as the lone female union rep, and Richard Jenkins, as Josie’s angry miner dad, cut through the predictability. Read full review

Kirk Honeycutt

The issue of sexual politics so dominates the story that it's a relief when an emotional showdown involves family rather than workplace issues. Not so surprisingly, these are the movie's best scenes. Read full review

Michael Sragow

At best, North Country just inspires you to read the book. Read full review

Empire Angie Errigo

It starts off well enough but slowly sinks under the leaden weight of its worthiness. Read full review

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User Reviews

Tss5078

Jun 3, 2015

Sexual harassment wasn't a concern in the work place until 1984, when the first class action sexual harassment lawsuit was brought against the owners of a mine in Minnesota. This is the story told in the award winning film, North Country, which graphically shows the horrors these women hadSexual harassment wasn't a concern in the work place until 1984, when the first class action sexual harassment lawsuit was brought against the owners of a mine in Minnesota. This is the story told in the award winning film, North Country, which graphically shows the horrors these women had to face at work on a daily basis. Charlize Theron was amazing, portraying Josey Aimes, the woman who finally stood up and said enough is enough. Theron is the kind of actress who is usually overlooked because of the roles she takes. I had a difficult time judging what kind of an actress she really was until seeing her in the role of a lifetime. Portraying Aimes as realistically as possible, Theron really made the audience feel the struggle of a single mother, having to take a difficult job, just to put food on the table. We see how the harassment at work effected every aspect of her life and it actually changed my view on sexual harassment. As harsh as it sounds, I always viewed sexual harassment as a law created by people who were too serious and couldn't take a joke, but the story of Josey Aimes is no joke. No person, male or female, of any color, race, or sexuality, should ever have to face even half of what Aimes had to go through. This example is how you know that North Country is one amazing film, because any movie that can change a persons opinion on a subject, is worth it's weight in gold. Theron isn't the only gem in this film, as France McDormand also received an Oscar nomination for her role as a co-worker suffering from Lou Gehrig's disease. I also thought that Woody Harrelson deserved recognition for his portrayal of the attorney who represented the women. In 1984, there had never been a case like this, and for him to go out on a limb for something like this was truly special, and its reflected in his performance. From top to bottom this film is very solid, the cast is terrific, and the story is a historically accurate portrayal of sadly, a much overlooked moment in American judicial history. North Country is the kind of film that I truly believe every child should see before entering the work force for the first time. It is that powerful and also earns a spot on our list of must see movies!… Expand

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BrentC.

Nov 11, 2005

An important movie. It's the most gripping story of legal reality since Erin Brockovich. It's this year's Hotel Rwanda, I would look for Theron and possibly McDormand at Oscar time.

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JenM.

Mar 31, 2006

I found it extremely touching and emotional to watch. Loved all of the performances and the cinematography of that depressingly bleak landscape.

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RevR.

Oct 30, 2005

With "issue-oriented" movies I ask myself "Does the film make me care?" North Country does just that. This is not a money-maker. Films concerned with relevant cultural issues rarely do well at the box office. However, it is a movie that needs to seen. Theron does a great job of making her With "issue-oriented" movies I ask myself "Does the film make me care?" North Country does just that. This is not a money-maker. Films concerned with relevant cultural issues rarely do well at the box office. However, it is a movie that needs to seen. Theron does a great job of making her character believable. Caro makes the mistake of many directors : she is so passionate about the subject matter that she uses "exaggeration." Granted, many men are guilty of sexual harassment, whether overtly or through complicity; still, there are far more men than this film allows that would be disturbed by the violent dehumanizing acts inflicted upon the women at the mine. We do not all "run with the pack" and therefore, are disgusted with those who treat women as "objects to be kept in their place." I have a difficult time believing that in the "true story" almost every male acted like the lowest form of primate. I am afraid Caro may drive away many men who would benefit from seeing this movie with her "all men are hardhearted pigs" stereotyping. Though the centerpiece of this movie is the issue of sexual harassment, Caro does a masterful job in revealing that fear and insecurity feed this harassment. When people, male and female, are placed in positions of total dependence upon a company for their livlihood they will often allow their fear to override their conscience. Even a family is not immune from the ravages of such fear. The most predominant fear in this film is birthed by male insecurity. Caro allows us to see that when men feel immasculated (as when they perceive women are taking their jobs), they are smitten with an irrational fear that causes them to toss their morality out the window. The women in the movie seem to be very aware that this is the basis for the disturbing actions of their male coworkers and therefore, toss their moral outrage out the same window. Caro doesn't let anyone off the hook in this film. Those who sit quietly by are as guilty as those who actively participate in the disgusting acts and dangerous attitudes. When all is said and done it becomes a movie of hope. Caro seems to believe that If we can see the behavior and attitudes for what they are: dehumanizing acts of violence, then our shared humanity will take on new life. Our collective conscience will rise to the occassion when pused against the wall.… Expand

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FilipeNeto

Aug 24, 2018

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 decidedThis 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.… Expand

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ArielG.

Feb 2, 2006

Watchable and likeable enough movie. Charlize Theron was good in this movie, not quite great but pretty good. Her acting seemed a little under-used in this movie, but she did excellently well with what she was given. Frances McDormand was excellent. The only problem for me was how they Watchable and likeable enough movie. Charlize Theron was good in this movie, not quite great but pretty good. Her acting seemed a little under-used in this movie, but she did excellently well with what she was given. Frances McDormand was excellent. The only problem for me was how they turned every single male in the movie into a faceless, chauvinistic, sadistic, obnoxious woman-hating, evil animal. Was this how they all were in real life, or was the movie Hollywood-ized in order for us to have more sympathy for Josie (played by Theron) and make it more interesting?… Expand

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Darryl

Oct 24, 2005

With Anita Hill on the tube, like a ghost, rooting her on, Josie finds the strength to face down the men. It's a shame she didn't have a light saber or some kind of Tommy Gun to mow down these "monsters". The exaggerated meanness diminishes the real subtle and coercive peeling With Anita Hill on the tube, like a ghost, rooting her on, Josie finds the strength to face down the men. It's a shame she didn't have a light saber or some kind of Tommy Gun to mow down these "monsters". The exaggerated meanness diminishes the real subtle and coercive peeling away that sexual abuse procures. The film sets the women's movement back a good 30 years by unwittingly participating in the same heart wrenching cruelty the men in this film intend to portray. I would not console her if I could. The men were the more deceived, out in that mine, that she was. All their hatred, anger, ignorence the film taught as power and perhaps unwittingly laid the groundwork for others to see that the only real victory is through litigation and some judge banging a gavel. None of those men changed, and so the hatred becomes instilled and boiling beneath the surface. Any half-assed student of human behavior knows it will out. And women will keep on losing. But by then we'll be on to Charlie's next move, another science fiction like this one.… Expand

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