(November 1, 2005) — Inspired by a true story, North Country is said to be an Oscar bound movie. Though a bit over dramatized, the movie remains powerful and engaging. We are first introduced to the main character, Josey Aimes (Charlize Theron), in 1989 Aimes runs away with her two children from her abusive husband. With no where else to live, Josey finds herself living with her unsupportive parents. Determined to make enough money to move out of her parent’s house, Josey takes a job recommended to her at an iron mine. She soon discovers that the women working in the mine are sexually harassed and humiliated every day and when Josey confronts the head of the mine, she is told to “work hard, shut your mouth, and take it like a man.” Josey finally decides to take things in her own hands and sue the mine, making it the first case of its kind. Everything in Josey’s life seems to be accompanied with sorrow. This, in my opinion, is the major flaw in the movie. It was only half way through the movie when I began feeling overwhelmed by all the sadness. It’s as if director Niki Caro tried to fit as much misery as possible into two hours. As the movie approached an end I felt depressed and would have had to leave the theater traumatized if not for the final turn around at the end of the movie. All this heartache makes the movie seem unrealistic. One begins to wonder if a person can actually go through so much in a lifetime without anyone to ever cut her any slack. However, there is no question that the acting in the movie is incredible. Theron unravels from her frightening character in Monster and really becomes a working woman. You can sense every emotion expressed and every awkward feeling felt. The acting in the movie, if nothing else, really strikes a nerve. Caro directed Whale Rider , a movie also about a female refusing to suffer in a world dominated by men. North Country is rated R for sequences involving sexual harassment including violence and dialogue. It is vivid and powerful; some may call it too vivid, but the amazing cast and emotion make it an unforgettable movie.