North Country

Cut from the same rural cloth as Norma Rae and Silkwood, this “inspired by a true story” flick gives Monster’s Charlize Theron another chance to dress down and show off her acting chops. Set in a Minnesota mining town 15 years ago, Theron plays a worker who is sick of the sexually demeaning treatment she receives in the male-dominated iron mines, and winds up filing the first-ever class action lawsuit for sexual harassment. Putting her career, and her family, on the line, Theron creates a character that wants to be treated equally in a town that just wishes she would shut her trap. Even more interesting is the reaction from other female workers in the mine, who come to resent her actions. Since all this is “inspired” by real life and shot where it actually took place, Country’s power comes from the fact that this kind of thing was still going on in small town America even in the so-called “enlightened” '90s. With a killer supporting cast—including Frances McDormand, Woody Harrelson, and the original coal miner's daughter, Sissy Spacek—this is not only one of the year’s most important movies, it’s also sensational, crackling good entertainment. One thing is clear: North Country will certainly get audiences rooting for a chick with balls the size of Chyna's.