Movie Stats:
Released 1979 (USA)
American, in English
Director - Martin Ritt
Stars - Sally Field, Ron Leibman, Beau Bridges
Plot Summary:
Based on a true story. When labor organizer Reuben (Leibman) shows up to unionize the textile factory in which Norma Rae (Field) works, she eventually decides to take up the cause. Bridges co-stars as Sonny, Norma Rae’s love interest.
Warnings:
Minor blue language; minor violence; very minor gore; heavily implied sexy times.
Bad Stuff:
Boring.
It takes too long to get going. You know that Norma Rae is going to get involved in unionizing but the film is practically halfway over before that happens.
I know it was part of the point, but I hated the numerous scenes in the factory where I had to listen to characters shout at each other over the noise of the machines.
Good Stuff:
I really liked the character of Sonny. He was interesting and complex and this may sound strange, but I enjoyed his speech pattern.
[SPOILER-y]
I’m glad that the relationship between Norma Rae and Sonny didn’t “go there,” even though they had chemistry. It’s always good to see a male-female friendship and it’s nice when movies avoid falling into cliches.
[SPOILER]
Another strong female role where the romantic relationship is secondary! I approve.
About the Performance:
Sally Field was very good, very believable. I liked that her character was tough, so used to men telling her what she should or shouldn’t do as a woman that she did whatever she wanted without giving their opinions a second thought. At the same time, you could see the cracks in her facade when she faced situations with which she was unfamiliar. Field portrayed that quite well. I think her Oscar win was deserved.
Other performances of Field’s I’ve reviewed: Forrest Gump.
The Verdict:
Mostly, I thought it was dull. It does a good job of showing the situation at the factory, explaining both why many would want to organize and also why they would be afraid to. It’s also good at showcasing the nasty tactics that some employers go to in order to prevent unionizing. Additionally, it did well at portraying the low-key sexism that many women face on an all-too-frequent basis. I enjoyed the characters of Norma Rae and Sonny and their interactions with each other. But I was bored. There’s something about the way they filmed movies in the 1970s that just doesn’t connect with me. I think it’s a pacing issue. They’re often so slow in the beginning that by time they get to the point, I’m already checked out.
I give it 3 stars.
2 comments:
I did notice, while reading your review, that you had chosen a 1979 movie. That was unfortunate.
I've not seen this, but I give two thumbs up to the romance being secondary.
Looking at Sally Field's filmography I would say that I found her Steel Magnolia's performance incredible (that's more of an ensemble film, but she is a key character.) And I've just seen her in Hello My Name is Doris where she does very good things. I know you've seen that one.
One thing I've noticed about her recent performances (and maybe all of them, I'm not an expert here) is that her ability to have emotion overwhelm her character has been on display. It was there both in Doris and also in Lincoln. (Though I was annoyed at her being cast as Mary Lincoln, she did bring it for the emotionally wrought scenes.)
I think she's a stand-up actress, and I'm sorry that we haven't seen more of her over the years.
I only have two 70s movies on the list. The other is a maybe though. I'm having a difficult time finding a copy of it. Actually, I had a really difficult time getting my hands on Norma Rae, which I thought was weird, giving that not only did Field win an Oscar for it, it's the win she gave her famous "you really like me" speech about.
Anyway, despite it being 70s, I stuck with it due to her win & it being a meatier role than a lot of her work. I'm a fan. I think she's a really good actress.
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