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Charlize Theron, Frances McDormand, Sean Bean, Richard Jenkins, Jeremy Renner ... see more see more... , Michelle Monaghan , Woody Harrelson , Sissy Spacek , Rusty Schwimmer , Jillian Armenante , Thomas Curtis , Elizabeth Peterson , Linda Emond , Amber Heard , Cole Williams , Xander Berkeley , Raye Birk , Tom Bower , James Cada , Marc Miles , Boots Southerland , Chris Mulkey , John Aylward , J.C. Cutler , Bruce Bohne , Mark Chait , Gus Lynch , Todd Robert Anderson , Sally Wingert , Mark Sivertsen , Arron Shiver , Curtis Plagge , Kit Gwin , Brad William Henke , Corey Stoll , Bryan Fagerstrom , Clif Stokes , J.D. Garfield , John Hardman , Forrest Norgaard , Sage Coy , Dennis E. Garber , Alex Layton , Jacqueline Wright , Catherine Campion , David Lislegard , Kurt Peterson , Pete Pellinen , Monsignor Patrick McDowell , Katherine Ferrand , Rand Kennedy

A fictionalized account of one of America's most groundbreaking sexual harassment lawsuits comes to the screen in this hard-hitting drama. In the late '80s, Josey Aimes (Charlize Theron) fled her abus... read more read more...ive husband, and needed to find a way to support her two children. Aimes returned to her hometown in Minnesota and followed the lead of her old friend Glory (Frances McDormand), who had bucked tradition and found a job in the iron mines that had long provided employment for much of the community. Aimes found honest labor and a living wage working the mines, but she also discovered she was working with men who were uncomfortable working with women (whose right to work in the mines had been mandated by law almost 15 years prior), and didn't care to show them much respect. However, as Aimes found herself the growing target of sexist jokes and abhorrent behavior, she found that many of her female co-workers were reluctant to stand beside her, afraid of losing a good-paying job at a time when they were increasingly hard to find. But as a personal crisis became a public war of words, Aimes became the center of a nationwide controversy when she attempted to file a class action sexual harassment suit against the mine owners, which put her and her family in a position of scrutiny beyond her worst expectations. North Country also stars Sean Bean, Sissy Spacek, and Woody Harrelson. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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72% liked it

91,216 ratings

Critics

68% liked it

167 critics

R, 2 hr. 6 min.

Directed by: Niki Caro

Release Date: October 21, 2005

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DVD Release Date: February 21, 2006

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Stats: 3,224 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (3,224)

  • hunterjt13
    April 5, 2011
    hunterjt13
    A female mine worker faces brutal sexual harassment and leads the way for the first U.S. class action lawsuit in such a case.
    Bill Maher issued a "New Rule" when this film first came out: "New rule: Charlize Theron must be hot again." This was as he showed a picture of Theron cov... read moreered in grime, a still from North Country. Isn't it ironic that she would still be seen as a sex symbol in a film that discourages seeing women as sex symbols? Such jokes - and they are not just jokes - constitute the cultural problem at the center of this slow-paced but compelling drama.
    The performances by Theron and Frances McDormand are fantastic, each actress able to embody both natural femininity and the masculine mask they must put on in order to function in the mine. The most compelling scene in the film is provided by Richard Jenkins, who must defend his daughter against the screaming taunts of his co-workers.
    But there are issues with the film. First, it delves into a few cliches along the way, including the climactic courtroom revelation, which I won't give away; suffice it to say that you won't be surprised. Second, on two occasions, the first being the Richard Jenkins scene and the second the very existence of the Woody Harrelson character, men are required to give women a voice. It seems as though the film is so self-conscious about not demonizing men that it contradicted its point by portraying men as necessary for female political and social action.
    Overall, North Country starkly presents a serious cultural problem that, though set in 1989, certainly resonates today.
  • TheDudeLebowski65
    July 10, 2010
    TheDudeLebowski65
    North Country is a terrific drama film about the first sexual harassment law suit. A harsh story the treatment of women in the Minnesota Mines. Charlize Theron gives one of the best performances of career in North Country as Josey Aimes who takes a job at a local mine and witness... read morees first hand the harrasment by male workers. She goes on to sue the Company and therefore make history by filling the first sexual harrasment lawsuit. Every actor gives his all in this film, and everyone gives terrific performances. North Country is a solid Drama film that shouldn't be missed.
  • ironclad1609
    December 23, 2009
    ironclad1609
    The true story of a female mine worker of the 70s who fought for sexual harassment laws and equality at her working place. The cast is excellent down to the smallest roles and the film's biggest asset. The direction and pace are a bit slow at times but the movie manages to keep y... read moreou interested throughout anyway. There are a few scenes of brilliance, especially the ending in court is good or when Lori's father finally decides to take his daughter's side. The emphasis of the court scenes is a bit too much centered on proving that Lori was no promiscuous woman, though. It's sad enough that a question like that would matter in a case about sexual harassment, but why make it one of the main points of the film? Thankfully, this often very bleak movie gives a ray of hope in the end. Worth seeing.
  • fb619846742
    September 19, 2009
    fb619846742
    An ambitious but ultimately too flawed and cheap feeling story chronicling a courageous women during extremely difficult times. For the first hour and a half, I didn't like this movie at all, all the guys in the movies were either complete douchebags or underdeveloped (Sean Bean,... read more Richard Jenkins), but the last half hour makes up for it somewhat. There are scenes of power and great acting, but once these scenes take place, the movie takes a turn into "too Hollywood" territory, with an ending that is really, really poorly executed. Theron, as always, is impressive in the lead role, however with a shorter running time, less "fake feeling" scenes, and more court room coverage, this could've been a good movie.
  • fernandorafael
    August 9, 2009
    fernandorafael
    Even though it's a little too melodramatic at times, NORTH COUNTRY is poignant and intense, mainly because of its incredible cast, whose performances make the film even more powerful.

    While I watched this, I couldn't help being amazed by how vile, disrespectful and discriminat... read moreory people can be. Surprisingly engaging, since I only planned to watch about an hour before I went to sleep, and I stayed up for the whole thing.

    After "Monster", Charlize Theron tackles another big role and NAILS it. The always great Frances McDormand, the underrated Michelle Monaghan and Richard Jenkins are great as well.
  • imrealgod
    June 14, 2009
    imrealgod
    Though the movie hardly has anything that can be classified as completely distinguishing, it's the execution that makes it incredibly wonderful. The acting is top-notch, screenplay perfect, dialogues apt and direction simply great. Absolutely touching, moving and fascinating. To ... read morebe honest, I awfully fail to find one reason to rate it anything less than 5/5. Surely a must watch.
  • 76Majikat
    December 18, 2008
    76Majikat
    A slow moving film, but a good performance by Charlize Theron. It certainly isn?t a glamourous Hollywood film, but a true story with guts.
  • LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    October 6, 2008
    LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    The film is awesome. Charlize Theron is a great actress. She gives off a convincing mother role and she is a damn good one. From a serial killer, to a futuristic assassin to an abused mother , she can do it all. I think she's one of the best actresses of her generation. Niki Caro... read more gives an awesome masterpiece. Support cast was great. Woody Harrelson, Sean Bean and the others gives off good performances that makes this watch worth while.
  • pier007
    May 27, 2008
    pier007
    A cheap, tearjerking pamphlet.
  • ajaymuthecooldevils
    September 15, 2007
    ajaymuthecooldevils
    An Oscar winning performance by Charlize Theron... She proved that she is one of top actress in Hollywood right now...

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Critic Reviews

Anthony Lane
October 24, 2005
Anthony Lane, New Yorker

You cannot help being stirred by the reach and depth, the constant rebuffs to sloppiness, of a strong ensemble.

Peter Travers
October 22, 2005
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

Though the dirt and grime in North Country are artfully applied, it's purely cosmetic and skin-deep.

Ann Hornaday
October 21, 2005
Ann Hornaday, Washington Post

North Country does a good job in ratcheting up the tension and unfairness until the audience is brought to the breaking point. Full Review

Peter Howell
October 21, 2005
Peter Howell, Toronto Star

If there was ever any thought that perhaps Whale Rider was a fluke, North Country should erase all doubt. Full Review

Ruthe Stein
October 21, 2005
Ruthe Stein, San Francisco Chronicle

North Country delivers an emotional wallop and a couple of performances worthy of recognition come award time. Full Review

Carrie Rickey
October 21, 2005
Carrie Rickey, Philadelphia Inquirer

What gives North Country urgency is that it's about how a man comes to understand that it's bad for him and for his community to deny his daughter privileges and prerogatives he'd grant his son.

Roger Moore
October 21, 2005
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel

Niki Caro, director of Whale Rider, has made a classic underdog-vs.-the-system story, rendered in the harsh blue-grays of a Minnesota winter. Full Review

Stephen Whitty
October 21, 2005
Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger

Theron's truly raw and impassioned performance as Josey - - can't save the film from its own gradually slowing pace and seriously compromised third act. Full Review

Lou Lumenick
October 21, 2005
Lou Lumenick, New York Post

In the end, the no-nonsense direction by Caro (the New Zealander who directed Whale Rider), the terrific actors and the pitiless visuals by the great Menges more than carry the day.

Rex Reed
October 21, 2005
Rex Reed, New York Observer

It's a memorable and touching portrayal of a certain kind of woman who is vital and determined instead of neurotic and victimized.

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  • What actor was in Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, Troy, National Treasure, and North Country?  Answer »
  • she fought for equality in north country, became an infamous serial killer in monster and was the sleek and deadly assassin in aeon flux.  Answer »
  • Which actor has been in the following movies? -National Treasure -North Country -Silent Hill -Don't Say a Word -Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring  Answer »
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