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Review: |
Before seeing North Country the
audience should have the understanding that this phenomenon
that the film portrays is a multi-millennia issue. Over centuries,
society has carefully cut out a niche for women, as civilizations
for most of the last 5000 years have been in the power of
men. In the process, the creation of rules, traditions, and
ideological concepts has favored men. There are instances
that reach far back in history, literature, and art where
exceptions have been in regards to women; however, these are
few and far between to have made any lasting impression on
the patriarchal societies around the world. Thus, when women
have begun to try to break free of the patriarchal chains
of ancient times, centuries of traditions and social norms
begin to mount against them. Yet, many women remain strong
in their attitudes and pursuit for equal freedom. In these
changing times, the society faces the change with suspicion
and fear, as some men territorially begin to protect what
they perceive to belong to them. In the process, the first
place that the oppressor begins to assault is the obvious
difference between men and women – their sex. ***
Based on a true story North Country
tells about Josey Aimes’(Charlize Theron) struggle to gain
her piece of the American Dream where all have equal rights
to safety and liberty. It is a long road of unhappiness cornered
by physical, emotional, and economical abuse until the Josey
decides to break away from it by leaving her husband. It is
also at this point that the film opens. Yet, she cannot get
away from the stigma of being a woman with what seems to be
a dubious past. For example, despite the obvious bruises on
her face, Josey’s father Hank (Richard Jenkins) blames her
for the physical abuse by asking, “So he catch you with another
man?” The audience probably shakes their heads to the comment
in similar disbelief, as Josey responds, “You’re really asking
me that?” The scene is poignantly potent, as it describes
the emotional solitude in which Josey exists, as she also
refuses to return to the norm of continued abuse from her
husband. In addition, Josey’s mother Alice (Sissy Spacek)
takes a strong submissive role, as she supports her husband
while also bringing the unforgiving morals of the church on
Josey. It only augments the solitude that Josey must feel,
as she seems to stand-alone against the world. ***
Besides worrying about herself,
Josey must see to that she can support her two children, Karen
(Elle Peterson) and Sammy (Thomas Curtis), which means that
she must find a job. The vocational perspective allows the
viewer to see into the preferential income levels between
men and women, as women are more likely to make far less than
their male counterparts. It also makes it harder for Josey
to begin a life on her own without the danger of abuse, however,
she seeks work in the local mine where her father has worked
his whole life. Most men oppose that women should work in
the mine for several shortsighted reasons, and they vent their
frustrations through crude and offensively sexual jokes. Eventually,
the jokes move towards overt demands for sexual favors to
direct physical touch and odious pranks of the lowest sort.
The working life of Josey immediately has an affect on her,
but she tries to cope with it to the best of her ability.
However, the mentality of women’s weakness runs thick throughout
the entire company, as it helps breed a cruel sexual atmosphere.
In the end, she has no other choice than to make the decision
of finding help from outside the company to prevent her life
from falling into ruin through these oppressive behaviors.
***
The narration of the story emerges
through several flashbacks, as Josey’s story becomes public
in a courtroom. It is clear that she will go to court, but
what is not clear is if she will find help that is willing
to help ease her and other women’s agony at the mine. Much
of the suspension in regards to Josey possible success in
the court rests in the film’s genuine portrayal of the chauvinistic
atmosphere of the town and its deep-rooted patriarchal traditions.
North Country also displays in detail how many of these women
find themselves helpless, as they have acquired the notion
that some things can never change. The film essentially provides
an exceptional illustration of the socioeconomic oppression
of women of modern time, but also what steps the society has
taken to make it that way. Lastly, it tells an important part
of contemporary history about an ancient issue, which now
been brought out from the shadows of several millennia. ***
North Country presents a gripping
cinematic experience through its important subject, as women
fight for what many take for granted – equal rights. The fabulous
cast includes names such as Charlize Theron, Frances McDormand,
Sean Bean, Woody Harrelson, Jeremy Renner, Richard Jenkins,
Sissy Spacek, and many more that helped bring this sad, yet
intriguing story alive. Another aspect that helps boost the
cinematic experience is the cast of all the extras in the
film, which allows the film to capture the authentic feeling
of a northern Minnesota small town. The mise-en-scene also
helps accentuate the genuine atmosphere. All of these pieces
leave the audience with an upsetting experience that evokes
sadness, anger, love, and much more, as these women fall victim
to severe sexual harassment. *** ---
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