ALL SHE WANTED WAS TO MAKE A LIVING. INSTEAD SHE MADE HISTORY.
In 1989, Josey Aimes (Charlize Theron) becomes one of few women to work in Northern Minnesota’s iron mines, but she finds herself unable to put up with the sexual harassment. Loosely based on a real-life landmark case, it is a film with good location flavor, a sympathetic subject matter and effective performances. The story is gripping enough, but it is also a bit too simple-minded. Its black-and-white approach renders the attempts at complicating matters unconvincing. Still, it is easy to get manipulated by the story and in that sense, Niki Caro’s film is a triumph.
2005-U.S. 126 min. Color. Widescreen. Directed by Niki Caro. Book: Clara Bingham, Laura Leedy (“Class Action: The Story of Lois Jensen and the Landmark Case That Changed Sexual Harassment Law”). Cast: Charlize Theron (Josey Aimes), Frances McDormand (Glory Dodge), Woody Harrelson (Bill White), Sissy Spacek, Sean Bean, Richard Jenkins… Jeremy Renner, Michelle Monaghan.