North Country

Rated R; Starring Charlize Theron, Frances McDormand, Woody Harrelson and Richard Jenkins

Directed by Niki Caro

In the early 1990s, Lois Jenson sat in front of an angry courtroom crowd and waited to see what lies the next witness would tell to the jury. Moviegoers who see “North Country” – which is inspired by Jenson’s story – will likely get a taste of how Jenson felt, but not because of Charlize Theron’s performance. Rather, audience members will know how it feels to be lied to because the film repeatedly sacrifices truth for entertainment.

But that’s Hollywood. Telling a simple story of the harassment that occurred inside the Eveleth mines would put audience members to sleep. Apparently the only way of spicing the story up is to add an abusive boyfriend, a rapist teacher, a dying friend, uplifting speeches and a tear-jerking finale, which is exactly what “North Country” does.

Set in the Iron Range, Niki Caro’s sophomore direction stars Theron as Josey Aimes – a single mother of two, struggling to support her children. Desperately in need of money, Josey takes a job at a local mine after a female friend, Glory, informs her about openings.

The mine is operated mostly be foul-mouthed males, who do everything they can to make the women miners feel uncomfortable, both at work and afterwards.

At her son’s high school hockey game, Josey is embarrassed by a miner’s wife who informs Josie to stay away from her husband.

The same is happening to other female miners, but many of them refuse to take action because they fear they will lose their jobs if they speak up. Josey, however, is determined to go down with a fight.

After being fondled by a male miner, Josey decides to take action against the male workers. She convinces Bill White, a former hockey star turned lawyer, to take her case against the male mine workers.

The fight leading up to the case is a long struggle but the case, itself, is resolved rather quickly, as the film surrenders much of its suspense.

That’s just one of “North Country’s” many problems. The film tries too hard to earn audience members’ tears. The story should be strong enough to stand on its own, but instead Caro adds numerous side stories to do spice it up, including an awkward romance between Josey and Bill, a love-hate relationship between Josey and her father and a rape scene that involves Josie and her high school teacher.

Furthermore, Caro tries to win our tears by having Glory quickly fade away from Lou Gehrig Disease.

Another problem with Caro’s direction is her inconsistent use of flashbacks and flash-forwards, which are more distracting than thrilling.

But with these flaws aside, “North Country” isn’t a terrible film either. I must admit that I was never bored during the film’s 123 minutes, thanks to the film’s gorgeous landscape shots, its inspiring story base and a very watchable performance from Theron, who earned an Oscar® two years ago for “Monster.”

Theron’s performance has earned her more Oscar® talk, although I don’t feel the role is quite worthy of such praise. Much like her heartbreaking role in “Monster,” Theron sheds plenty of tears, yet I was never completely able to feel sympathy for her character.

The same goes for McDormand, whose role is too demanding to earn my respect. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if “North Country” – which once had strong Oscar® hopes – gets shut out during award season.

That’s because “North Country” lacks the emotional power that past Oscar®-nominees “Erin Brockovich” and “Norma Rae” had. Even “Whale Rider,” which was much more moving, only earned one Academy Award® nomination. In comparison, I’m predicting “North Country” gets shutout, which may be exactly what it deserves.

Grade: B-

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