Went to see North Country Saturday afternoon and was pleased and relieved. I imagine it to be a taste of what Syriana will be like. North Country was obviously fictionalized, but a lot of factual information came across. We know what was done to the women who worked in the mines and why it was so hard for them to get justice without resorting to a lawsuit.
All the performances were excellent, but I think Richard Jenkins who played Josey's father moved me most. He was the character whose change was greatest. Of course I want Sid to be nominated in that supporting category for Syriana, but if he lost out to Jenkins's performance, I could understand it. That's how powerful I found it.
Because it was shot in Minnesota, I imagine it has a special meaning for us here. We know that the reason the film crew had the use of the entire mining complex is that the mine has sadly closed since the eighties when the events of this film happened. I'm pleased that the film crew infused a bit a cash into that financially strapped region.
By the way, we don't call that part of Minnesota the "North Country". It's called "The Iron Range". I'm guessing that most people of the world think an iron range is an appliance in the kitchen so they couldn't call the movie that.
I wasn't surprised that the trailer for Syriana was shown with this film. It looks even better on the big screen.
Carol