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Norma Rae (1979)

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Average Rating: 7.5/10
Reviews Counted: 20
Fresh: 18 | Rotten: 2

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Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 3
Fresh: 2 | Rotten: 1

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Average Rating: 3.5/5
User Ratings: 6,499

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Movie Info

Norma Rae finds Sally Field cast in the title role, a minimum-wage worker in a cotton mill. The factory has taken too much of a toll on the health of Norma Rae's family for her to ignore her Dickensian working conditions. After hearing a speech by New York union organizer Reuben (Ron Leibman), Norma Rae decides to join the effort to unionize her shop. This causes dissension at home when Norma Rae's husband, Sonny (Beau Bridges), assumes that her activism is a result of a romance between herself

PG, 2 hr.

Musical & Performing Arts, Drama

Directed By: Martin Ritt

Written By: Irving Ravetch, Frank Harriet,

In Theaters: Mar 2, 1979 Wide

On DVD: Apr 17, 2001

20th Century Fox Film Corporat

Norma Rae Trailer & Photos

Cast

Sally Field
Norma Rae
Beau Bridges
Sonny
Ron Leibman
Reuben
Pat Hingle
Vernon
Barbara Baxley
Leona
Gail Strickland
Bonnie Mae
Lonny Chapman
Gardner
Morgan Paull
Wayne Billings
Charlie Briggs
Warren Lotting
Robert Broyles
Sam Bolen
John Calvin
Ellis Harper
Booth Colman
Dr. Watson
Lee de Broux
Lujan
Joe Dorsey
Woodrow Thompson
J. Don Ferguson
Peter Galiot
Bert Freed
Sam Dakin
Gilbert Green
Al London
Bob Hannah
Jed Buffum
Edith Ivey
Louise Pickens
Clayton Landey
Teddy Bob Keeler
James Luisi
George Benson
Frank McRae
James Brown
Mary Munday
Mrs. Johnson
George R. Robertson
Farmer
Henry Slate
Policeman
Roy Tatum
Woodrow Bowser
Gregory Walcott
Lamar Miller
Noble Willingham
Leroy Mason
Grace Zabriskie
Linette Odum
Bob Minor
Lucius White
Jack Stryker
J.J. Davis
Vernon Weddle
Rev. Hubbard
Fred Covington
Alston

Critic Reviews for Norma Rae

All Critics (20) | Top Critics (3) | Fresh (19) | Rotten (2) | DVD (7)

Photographed in murky yellows and browns by John Alonzo, this 1979 film is sluggish and vague, trivializing its subject in a wash of unearned sentimentality.

January 11, 2008 Full Review Source: Chicago Reader

| Comment (1)

Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

Top Critic

Norma Rae is that rare entity, an intelligent film with heart.

January 11, 2008 Full Review Source: Variety

| Comment

Variety Staff

Variety

Top Critic

Norma Rae is a seriously concerned contemporary drama, illuminated by some very good performances and one, Miss Field's, that is spectacular.

May 20, 2003 Full Review Source: New York Times

| Comment

Vincent Canby

New York Times

Top Critic

Inspiring pro-union story is good watch-together fare.

February 1, 2012 Full Review Source: Common Sense Media

| Comment

Renee Schonfeld

Common Sense Media

Sally Field won her first Oscar playing union activist Norma Rae.

February 23, 2009 Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews

| Comment

Dennis Schwartz

Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Sally Field won her first Oscar for her performance in the title role, a complex portrayal of an working-class southern woman.

January 11, 2008 Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide

| Comment

TV Guide's Movie Guide

A beautifully made, splendidly acted film that more than achieves its aims.

September 19, 2007 Full Review Source: Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

| Comment

Ken Hanke

Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

The closure is consistent and satisfying, standing in opposition to conventional Hollywood happy endings: Norma Rae and Jewish labor leader part as equals, with a respectful handshake rather than embrace or kiss; both have benefited from the friendship

September 14, 2006 Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com

| Comment

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com Source: EmanuelLevy.Com

Does it get any better than Sally Field?

March 11, 2006 Comment

Clint Morris

Moviehole

Nicely performed by a strong cast, especially Field and Leibman, it's often mawkishly soft, but surprisingly touching.

January 26, 2006 Full Review Source: Time Out

| Comment

Geoff Andrew

Time Out

Harrowing union vs corporation film has Oscar winning Field.

October 30, 2004 Comment

Steve Crum

Kansas City Kansan Source: Kansas City Kansan

More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for Norma Rae

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A fantastic social drama, and still relevant today too! Field is perfect, and she even won an award for this performance, so if you're a fan don't miss this one. It's a really good movie.

September 6, 2010

AJ Verser

Super Reviewer

Sally Field makes her outstanding performance (she won her first Best Actress Oscar) as a southern textile work attempting to unionise the mill with the aid of organiser Ron Leibman. Film is based on a true story and has good eyes and ears for authenticity. Entire case is first rate.

March 8, 2007

Dean McKenna

Super Reviewer

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