Norma Rae

Inspired by true events, Norma Rae follows Sally Field’s title character as she attempts to unionize the textile mill at which she works. Filmmaker Martin Ritt, armed with Irving Ravetch and Harriet Frank Jr.’s screenplay, offers up a deliberately-paced drama that grows more and more compelling as it unfolds, and there’s little doubt, ultimately, that the movie benefits substantially from Ritt’s gritty, down-to-earth approach to the material – with the authentic atmosphere heightened by John A. Alonzo’s documentary-like visuals, Walter Scott Herndon’s lived-in production design, and a raft of spellbinding performances. (Field’s justifiably lauded efforts are certainly matched by her talented costars, with, especially, Ron Leibman’s riveting turn as a union organizer standing as an ongoing highlight within the proceedings.) And although the 110 minute running time does result in a very small handful of lulls, Norma Rae, which has been punctuated with a number of electrifying sequences and digressions, builds towards an absolutely riveting and surprisingly moving climax that ensures it ends on just about as positive a note as one could envision – with the final result a first-class piece of work that’s just as relevant now as it was back in 1979.

***1/2 out of ****