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Norma Rae (1979)

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John Cougar Lunchbucket Oct 16 2012 12:47 PM

Hijinx erupts when a cute laborer works to organize a textile plant in the Deep South.

Vic Sage Oct 16 2012 02:25 PM Re: Norma Rae (1979)

A typical Martin Ritt film... heavy-handed agitprop mixed with melodramatic soap opera. Even though I agree with it's message about unionism, it's still the kind of drivel for which i have no patience. And i can only stomach Sally "you like me! you really like me!" Field for limited periods. All that being said, it's a solid, well-crafted piece of film-making and this performance is about as good as Field gets. If nothing else, Ritt was a great director of actors.

Edgy MD Oct 17 2012 04:14 PM Re: Norma Rae (1979)

I more or less agree, but really, as left-leaning as Hollywood may be, how many great union-organizing movies have they made? If this isn't as good as it gets, it may be close. Hollywood's best movie built around a union may be On the Waterfront, and in the union are the villains in that.

Frayed Knot Oct 17 2012 05:09 PM Re: Norma Rae (1979)

Well, the union bosses were the villains in OtW, the union rank & file not so much. Norma Rae is one of those I've never gotten around to.

Edgy MD Oct 17 2012 06:26 PM Re: Norma Rae (1979)

Yes, certainly, but it remains that it isn't really the most inspired Labor Day selection.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Oct 17 2012 08:42 PM Re: Norma Rae (1979)

We never got around to it either, but it popped up free on demand recently. I didn't think the movie was great, but her character was great, I loved that she was kind of rough around the edges and all and the whole scene where they decide to get married was just great. And I liked (really liked!) her tight t-shirts too.

Frayed Knot Oct 17 2012 09:13 PM Re: Norma Rae (1979)

Edgy DC wrote: ... as left-leaning as Hollywood may be, how many great union-organizing movies have they made? If this isn't as good as it gets, it may be close. Matewan? How Green was my Valley? Harlan County USA?

Vic Sage Oct 17 2012 09:43 PM Re: Norma Rae (1979)

also: grapes of wrath Reds Billy Elliot Hoffa Newsies Molly Maguires The Pajama Game and i would take MATEWAN, GRAPES OF WRATH, REDS, and BILLY ELLIOT over NORMA RAE. I'd actually take all of them except HOFFA over it.

Vic Sage Oct 18 2012 09:06 AM Re: Norma Rae (1979)

also: SILKWOOD BLUE COLLAR F.I.S.T. SOMETIMES A GREAT NOTION BOUND FOR GLORY NORTH COUNTRY SALT OF THE EARTH

Vic Sage Oct 18 2012 09:11 AM Re: Norma Rae (1979)

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: ...And I liked (really liked!) her tight t-shirts too. HEY, that's GIDGET, SYBIL and SISTER BERTRILLE (a NUN, fer crissakes) you're talking about! I don't care how tight her t-shirts get, that chick just ain't sexy; she was cute in her younger days, but never hot.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Oct 18 2012 08:48 PM Re: Norma Rae (1979)

I know. But I suggest you give this aspect of the film another look, I think you'll find it doubly persuasive.

Vic Sage Oct 19 2012 02:52 PM Re: Norma Rae (1979)

alright, but only for scholarly purposes you understand.