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Review: North Country

At points, it turns into a Lifetime Channel Original Movie, but at other points it’s a poignant tale of struggle and a thrilling courtroom drama. After a rocky introduction, it interspurses the courtroom scenes throughout the whole fim, while detailing Josey’s (Theron) struggle being a single mother, working in a sexist mine, and dealing with her negative parents. I would have rather had the whole thing build up to the courtroom bit, because once the end comes on, it’s rushed, and we don’t even get to hear the verdict. It’s like ‘oh, women don’t want to see that.’ Instead, they barrel into a sappy ending, even when the rest of the film was actually smart, well put-together, and told a great story. The cast is the best aspect. Charlize Theron proves once again that she can cover herself in filth and impress. Woody Harrelson is great as her lawyer, as are Richard Jenkins and Sissy Spacek as her parents. The most points, however, go to Sean Bean and Frances McDormand, who husband and wife and friends to Josey. It’s good to see Frances in Minnesota again. Honorable mentions go to Brad William Henke (Denny from Choke and Bram on ‘Lost’ (who left us with a ton of questions last week)), who plays Josey’s childhood teacher, and Amber Heard, who plays young Josey, in a flashback. The flashbacks were the best and most heartwrenching aspects of the film. A great tale of courage in the face of adversity, even though women shouldn’t really work in mines.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

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