Norma Rae

Starring: Sally Field, Beau Bridges, Ron Leibman, Pat Hingle
Directed by: Martin Ritt
Rating: PG
Genre: Drama
1979

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: A textile worker (Sally Field) decides to join a union organizer (Ron Leibman) to start a union in her small rural town. She faces opposition from management, other employees, and most of the community. As the stakes begin to rise, she risks more and more to change the plant and give a better life to her children.

Review:

Tim: Norma Rae is an incredibly inspirational movie that tells a fascinating story about one woman standing up to overwhelming odds. We love these underdog movies, and this is one of the best. Amazingly, the story really takes a back seat to the characters. This is not always the case in these types of movies. We care so much about what happens with the union because of these established, developed, well written characters. I really enjoyed watching this movie, and I firmly believe it does enough right to achieve greatness.

Before I touch on anything else, I have to mention Sally Field. Field is what makes this movie great, because she gives a stunning, unforgettable, moving, remarkable performance as Norma Rae. Field gives as close to perfect of a performance as you will ever see. She absolutely earned the Academy Award for Best Actress she received. She brings this character to life- a warm, flawed fighter who struggles to be better than she has ever been and in some small way, change the world. This is one of my all time favorite performances by any actress, ever. She was amazing.

The supporting cast is quite good as well. Ron Leibman was so good as well. I loved his performance, and his interactions with Field are the foundation of this movie. I also enjoyed seeing Beau Bridges in a smaller role. Leibman and Bridges help this movie, but they do it in smaller ways, because this movie is first and foremost about Field and her incredible performance. It is so rare to find good, meaty roles for women, which is a shame- because with the right part in the right movie, you get something an wonderful as Field here.

Director Martin Ritt gives us less a story about unions and more a look into the life of rural factory workers in a small southern city. Everything about this town and their inhabitants comes to life on screen. We are thrown into the mix, and feel as if we were actually there. This is a huge achievement. While watching Norma Rae, I never felt like I was watching a movie- I felt like I was watching life unfold in the American south. The story is compelling, engaging, and exciting. The movie pulls you in and keeps you interested from start to finish.

Norma Rae is a great movie. I don't think the few decades since its release has tarnished or detracted from the film in any way. This is a timeless movie that features a timeless performance by its lead actress. I cannot recommend this movie highly enough- it is an important, unforgettable movie.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 8



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend:
A Civil Action, Erin Brockovich, Michael Clayton, North Country, Forrest Gump