North Country

—1. Overview (multimedia)
—2. Overview Basic (dial up speed)
—3. Reviews and Blogs
—4. Cast and Crew
—5. Photo Pages
—6. Trailers, Clips, DVDs, Books, Soundtrack
—7. Posters (Charlize Theron)
—8. Production Notes (pdf)
—9. Spiritual Connections

I hadn’t really planned on seeing this movie, but for some reason I just felt drawn to it today. It was this or Doom, and on the surface I seemed to be more in the mood for Doom but decided instead to see North Country, and excuse the expression, but boy am I glad I did.

There are some movies that a reviewer will see and can’t help but editorialize about, for me North Country is one of those movies. Not since Sally Fields in Norma Rae have we seen such a powerful female character in film. Charlize Theron is absolutely brilliant as Josey Aimes and she takes the viewer by the throat and throws them down. We get kicked and punched in the gut with the reality of abuse that many women go through on a day to day basis.

Here is part of my editorial; I didn’t grow up in the nicest of homes. For the most part, when my mother or my sister and I weren’t getting abused by the various people in our lives we realized the difficulty of our environment. We grew up poor, with not many luxuries. I have come to realize, as I have gotten older, that my mother became in many ways, a victim of her environment. I saw this in the life of the character Josey Aimes played by Theron. A young female, going through unmentionable difficulties growing up only to be haunted for the rest of her life with her lack of hope, opportunity, and abilities to raise a child. It is after taking all that she can take with those difficulties and those around her, especially her co-workers, that she finally decides to stand up for herself, and her children. She loves them, but doesn’t always know how to show that love to them.

Along the way, we see the misunderstandings that exist between a father and daughter, a husband and wife, a mother and child. Misunderstandings wrapped around times like Christmas where we see the ultimate deliverer of peace celebrated, in a world filled with heartache and turmoil. Turmoil where a mother will be abused and beaten in the shadow of a Christmas tree decorated with the cross of a savior. We see the mother finally stand up for herself, only to go to a home where there is still hurt and selfishness exhibited by the people who are supposed to love her the most. This is a powerful illustration of many like myself over the years, looking for love, only to be greeted with heartache, all along the way, never feeling understood or loved. Hurting and crying, realizing that those that are supposed to love us either don’t or are incapable to for whatever reason.

This is the backdrop of North Country, unfortunately for me, the story line hit way too close to home. It hit close because of my own upbringing and my own life experiences. While there were some vastly different types of things that occurred in my life I could relate to more portrayed on screen than I would have liked to. I found myself having a better understanding of the reality of abuse, neglect, and yes, even sin in the lives of those who live day to day in these types of environments. We live in a world where we hope for the best, but often experience the worst. A world where it is easier to throw blame out at others, than it is to try and make things right. A world filled with characters where people care more about themselves than they do those around them. While we know why people should care for themselves, and those around them, we know from personal experiences that far too often we are hurt and abused more by those who are supposed to care for us or even worse pretend to care. In the process, we all know many are more inclined to stab us in the back with a knife supposedly sharpened with love, but in reality, is sharpened with conceit and selfishness. Those are the battles that we see portrayed in the life of Josey Aimes and those around her. They are the battles that are hard to watch at times, but liberating because of the strength we ultimately see in the character.

North Country is inspired by the true story of a young single mother who seeks justice and appropriate treatment of women working in the Iron Mines of Northern Minnesota. In a world dominated by men, and sexism, Josey Aimes finally has enough and decides to stand up on her own behalf. Going against the wishes of the company, her friends, her family and female co-workers, she finally decides to do what is right despite the harsh criticism she receives. As a result, policies regarding the treatment of women on the work force, specifically in jobs such as this, were changed forever around the globe, especially in America. The sacrifice that is required was not lost on this particular viewer.

As mentioned earlier, this movie reminded me too much of my own experiences in some ways. I found myself being in many ways like the son of Aimes, who at times hates his mother. He don’t understand her, and he is certainly within his rights to have many of the feelings towards her that he does. What he don’t see however, is the sacrifices his mother has made, that doesn’t excuse the wrongs, but neither should it ignore the difficulties and horrors she has gone through which have helped her be the way she is. Has she done wrong? Most certainly, but when she finally decides to make things right, the relationship between mother and son change for the better. Both characters have to learn to forgive, and focus on the love that has the potential to exist. In the process, a son finds a mother, and a mother finds a son. We also see the forgiveness and reality of love that can exist in a family.

What makes this story line in North Country even more interesting is the issue of abortion that comes up in the film. I won’t go into detail here or give out any kind of a spoiler, but when abortion was an option for this woman, she is portrayed as choosing life. The character states, “When I felt you kicking in my belly, I knew that you were mine despite the wrong that was done.” I am not certain if this will bring out the political pundits on both sides of the issue of abortion or not. I do know that if this is the primary focus of many seeing this film, they have lost sight of the importance of the overall message of the film. This movie is about so much more than this single issue.

Ultimately, what we see is a character who receives the support of those around her. We see her lawyer who learns to really care played by Woody Harrelson. We see a friend who struggles with the issues but ultimately decides to live life played brilliantly by Frances McDormand. We see the husband of that friend, standing by his wife in a loving and caring way, while at the same time offering love and wonderful advice to those he comes into contact with. There is the mother, Sissy Spacek of Josey who has lived her life in a mining town, supporting a husband who has worked in the mines for most of his life. The father, while loving his daughter and family, has never had the guts to stand up and search out for truth, it is only when faced with loosing two of the things that he loves the most that he realizes the need for himself to stand up and express love. He realizes that jobs, friends, and perspectives are not nearly as important as the love of family. There is strength in numbers, but sometimes those strengths are inspired by the willingness of a single person to take a stand, and that is what the character of Josey Aimes was willing to do.

As mentioned earlier, this is a chance to editorialize. North Country is an example of the reality that sexism still exists to the level that it does. It is an example that in some communities, that a job is more important than what is right. It is an example that some can pretend to love those around them, but when feeling threatened, it is possible to lash out with a vengeance that is the incarnate of pure evil. It is an example of how hard it is to get up when you have been knocked down, over, and over, and over again. It is an example of how many refuse to care about those around them when it might mean some sacrifice is required of self. Yes, North Country portrays a lot about America and the way we treat each other. It says a lot about greed, and corporate power, but it also says a lot about strength in numbers and the ability to do right. That right is not done without sacrifice, but once obtained; we find that the struggle and battle is worth it. Unfortunately, not all involved get to receive the spoils of the prize, some are lost along the way, but we have to ask ourselves; What about the ultimate costs of not doing right? Are we willing to live in a society that finds more value in the willingness not to love than it does the willingness to do right, and find the potential for love?

Truth is, that North Country did not do nearly as well as expected during the opening weekend. I suspect that a part of that is that we don’t like to be reminded of the difficulties that many go through. That is a shame when we have television shows like Extreme Makeover Home Edition that portrays the desire to do good. We don’t like to be reminded though of the times that we should have stood up, been counted, and made a difference. Yet, the truth of it is that we can all do better. One of the wonderful things about movies like this is it has the potential to make us squirm in our seats at the recognition of our own failures. If we stick around, stand up for what is right, it is also one of the things that can inspire us. There is the potential to be moved to tears, and joy over the recognition that we can be a part of a larger picture that can change society, not just on issues like the ones portrayed in North Country, but with issues where we see injustices all around us in day to day life.

On a scale of 1-10 for the number of times I mentioned the movie North Country in the review, I give it an awe inspiring 9

—1. Overview (multimedia)
—2. Overview Basic (dial up speed)
—3. Reviews and Blogs
—4. Cast and Crew
—5. Photo Pages
—6. Trailers, Clips, DVDs, Books, Soundtrack
—7. Posters (Charlize Theron)
—8. Production Notes (pdf)
—9. Spiritual Connections

The Gospel

—1. Overview (multimedia)
—2. Overview Basic (dial up speed)
—3. Reviews and Blogs
—4. Cast and Crew
—5. Photo Pages
—6. Trailers, Clips, DVDs, Books, Soundtrack
—7. Posters
—8. Production Notes (pdf)
—9. Spiritual Connections

Over the last few years, we have seen an increase in African American films with a focus on Christianity. There was the much heralded, fun filled flick, The Fighting Temptations, and last year’s enjoyable Tyler Perry movie, Diary of a Mad Black Woman. While I personally enjoyed The Fighting Temptations, I also felt that while worthy of discussion Diary of a Mad Black Woman had some things to be desired. I must also comment on last years surprisingly well acted and written T.D. Jakes movie with a backdrop of abuse titled Woman Tou Art Loosed.

This fall we have the release of another film that can be added to this genera, The Gospel, staring Boris Kodjoe, Idris Elba, Nona Gaye, Clifton Powell, Donnie McClurkin, and featuring the likes of Fred Hammon, Hezekiah Walker and Yolanda Adams, also features a sound track thrown together by non other than Kirk Franklin. What we have as a result of this effort written and directed by Rob Hardy is a contemporary story straight out of the Bible itself. Done in a manner that will catch the attention of those coming from a Christian persuasion or non religious tradition, The Gospel is about story, a story that tells of a long lost son coming home to a father who loves him and wants the best for him.

I have to get my one major quirk about this movie out of the way first. I was actually very disappointed in the editing of the film. As a person who loves music and is a musician, it would have been worth the effort, especially in the opening sequences to synchronize things like hand claps and vocals. There were numerous times that the timing of both the vocalist on the screen and the claps of those in the congregations of the churches were off from the sounds on the sound track. I hate to use this comparison, but those sequences reminded me of the opening scenes of the movie The Jerk, when the character played by Steve Martin finally discovers his rhythm. Thankfully, just like in The Jerk, the movie finds its beat and carries on with a rhythm that has the audience tapping its toes, and swaying their bodies through out the duration of the movie.

Kirk Franklin has thrown together a sound track and music composition that is among the best of any film in a long time, including the much-heralded The Fighting Temptations. The music is professional, layered, and extremely well produced. I was able to enjoy the music not just for its valuable contribution to the story line, but for the professional quality and performance. Mixing Latin beats along with Black Gospel Influences we are reminded why Black Gospel singers such as Thomas Dorsey were able to make such significant contributions to contemporary Rhythm and Blues, and Rock N Roll. This sound track is a reminder to the church as to the excellence that they could once again have on a contemporary society. The tradition of music in the African American Church has not been displayed as well since the classic release of the documentary Say Amen Somebody.

The story line of The Gospel centers around the character of David Taylor played by Boris Kodjoe. The son of a pastor and singer in the choir, he becomes disillusioned with his faith after his mother dies. He leaves the church and after 15 years of being on the road comes into success in the music business. After finding out that his father has become ill he returns home to his father and to the church. Along the way he falls for a young single mother and has a series of conflicts with his former friend and cousin Frank played by Idris Elba. It seems as if both have lost their focus and vision for what the church is and what the church is for. The story that follows is not only a return to their roots in their love for their church, but also a journey to rediscover friendship, and love for family.

The concept of rediscovering love is one that will satisfy all individuals whether coming from a faith principle or not. Along the way, decisions and soul searching must take place. While we don’t get too deep into that soul searching we get deep enough that we can all relate to the characters in some ways. I was actually refreshed with the honesty of the searching of the characters in the film. While we see the struggles we also see the self retrospection that each individual goes through at times of trouble. What we see as a result of the pain that each of the characters goes through is growth. It is unfortunate that pain is the catalysts that produces growth, but that is unfortunately the formula that seems to work in our world. The old saying, “No Pain No Gain,” is not only true on the athletic field, it is true in life.

Clifton Powell plays the part of Bishop Fred Taylor beautifully. While he could have overplayed his part, he plays it with a sincerity and honesty that is refreshing. In the simplicity of the character we see a father who has never quit loving his son. A father, who despite his son taking off and leaving his faith and family, welcomes his son back with the open arms of love. How refreshing it is to see an African American man played with such honesty, while at the same time loving his family and working hard to show his family, and those around him that he loves them. Powell is one of several positive male role models portrayed on the screen. We see his unwillingness to change, and the power of love, to change others. With the negative themes often played out in today’s movies this was a refreshing experience.

As mentioned earlier in the review, this story reminds me of another story in the Bible where a father welcomed back his son with open arms after the son had left his home. That story comes from the Gospel of Luke in the Bible. Taken from the Contemporary English Version it reads:

11Jesus also told them another story:
Once a man had two sons. 12The younger son said to his father, "Give me my share of the property." So the father divided his property between his two sons.

13Not long after that, the younger son packed up everything he owned and left for a foreign country, where he wasted all his money in wild living. 14He had spent everything, when a bad famine spread through that whole land. Soon he had nothing to eat.

15He went to work for a man in that country, and the man sent him out to take care of his pigs. 16He would have been glad to eat what the pigs were eating, but no one gave him a thing. 17Finally, he came to his senses and said, "My father's workers have plenty to eat, and here I am, starving to death! 18I will go to my father and say to him, `Father, I have sinned against God in heaven and against you. 19I am no longer good enough to be called your son. Treat me like one of your workers.' "

20The younger son got up and started back to his father. But when he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt sorry for him. He ran to his son and hugged and kissed him.

21The son said, "Father, I have sinned against God in heaven and against you. I am no longer good enough to be called your son."

22But his father said to the servants, "Hurry and bring the best clothes and put them on him. Give him a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. 23Get the best calf and prepare it, so we can eat and celebrate. 24This son of mine was dead, but has now come back to life. He was lost and has now been found." And they began to celebrate. 25The older son had been out in the field. But when he came near the house, he heard the music and dancing. 26So he called one of the servants over and asked, "What's going on here?"

27The servant answered, "Your brother has come home safe and sound, and your father ordered us to kill the best calf." 28The older brother got so angry that he would not even go into the house.

His father came out and begged him to go in. 29But he said to his father, "For years I have worked for you like a slave and have always obeyed you. But you have never even given me a little goat, so that I could give a dinner for my friends. 30This other son of yours wasted your money on prostitutes. And now that he has come home, you ordered the best calf to be killed for a feast."

31His father replied, "My son, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32But we should be glad and celebrate! Your brother was dead, but he is now alive. He was lost and has now been found."

The Gospel, borrows heavily from the story that Jesus said. It lives out the meaning of the word Gospel. What we have on screen is “Good News.” The “Good News” of the ability to bring about change and love.

On a scale of 1-10, while far from perfect it was a very good touching movie with a great story. I’ll give the well deserving score of 7

—1. Overview (multimedia)
—2. Overview Basic (dial up speed)
—3. Reviews and Blogs
—4. Cast and Crew
—5. Photo Pages
—6. Trailers, Clips, DVDs, Books, Soundtrack
—7. Posters
—8. Production Notes (pdf)
—9. Spiritual Connections