Cast: Sally Field, Beau Bridges, Ron Leibman
Director: Martin Ritt
Rating:
Enetertainment Quotient: 40%
Genre: Drama
Running time: 110 minutes
MPAA rating: PG

Synopsis:
The story of the film is based on a real incident. Norma Rae a single mother works in Henley Textiles mill to make ends meet. Henley Textiles does not have any workers’ union protection and the working conditions are pathetic. A Union Organizer called Reuben comes to this textile village to campaign for the formation of a workers’ union. The story of the film is about how she joins hands with him, fights against the management and wins.

What is special in the film?
Norma Rae has a troubled personal life that is infested with illegal relationships and two kids born out marriage. She takes this social cause as an opportunity for catharsis. She keeps her personal life aside and concentrates on the job. Sally Field’s performance is outstanding. The director also projects the protagonist’s role in a realistic way. The characterisation of Union Organizer is very good.

The scenes I liked in this film?

1. When she is fired from the job. She writes UNION on a placard and stands on a table in the factory.  The entire factory comes to a stand still in her support.

2. When her husband asks Normal if she had a sexual relationship with Union Organizer (as she is notorious for her relationships), she says no. However, immediately comes up with the clincher ‘He is in my head’.

Tailpiece: Americans are good at showing women in fiery roles. Like Erin Brokovich, this film too shows women in an admirable way.