Review of North Country (2005) by Revr. — 29 Oct 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 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.