Norma Rae

1979

Norma Rae

Critics Consensus

Spearheaded by a galvanizing Sally Field, Norma Rae is a heartening and politically powerful drama about an ordinary woman taking an extraordinary stand.

89%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 27

79%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 7,183
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Movie Info

Norma Rae, a young Southern woman working at a cotton mill, encounters a union organizer and decides to join the effort to reform working conditions. This Oscar-winning drama follows Norma's crusade, as she leads a shutdown despite the opposition of her family and employers.

Cast

Sally Field
as Norma Rae
Ron Leibman
as Reuben
Beau Bridges
as Sonny
Pat Hingle
as Vernon
Barbara Baxley
as Leona
Gail Strickland
as Bonnie Mae
Morgan Paull
as Wayne Billings
Robert Broyles
as Sam Bolen
John Calvin
as Ellis Harper
Booth Colman
as Dr. Watson
Lee de Broux
as Lujan
James Luisi
as George Benson
Gilbert Green
as Al London
Bob Minor
as Lucius White
Mary Munday
as Mrs. Johnson
Gregory Walcott
as Lamar Miller
Roy Tatum
as Woodrow Bowser
Noble Willingham
as Leroy Mason
Lonny Chapman
as Gardner
Bert Freed
as Sam Dakin
Bob Hannah
as Jed Buffum
Edith Ivey
as Louise Pickens
Scott Lawton
as Craig
Frank McRae
as James Brown
Gerald Okuneff
as Pinkerton Man
Gina Kaye Pounders
as Millie
Henry Slate
as Policeman
Melissa Ann Wait
as Alice
Joe Dorsey
as Woodrow
Sherry Velvet-Foster
as Velma
Grace Zabriskie
as Linette
Stuart Culpepper
as Ray
Weona T. Brown
as Vendor
Carolyn Danforth
as Mavis
James W. Harris
as Worker
Charlie Briggs
as Warren
Billie Joyce Buck
as Agnes
Fred Covington
as Alston
J. Don Ferguson
as Peter
Sandra Dorsey
as Matron
Harold E. Finch
as Agent
Clayton Landey
as Teddy
William Pannell
as Billy
George R. Robertson
as Farmer
Thomas D. Samford III
as J.P.
J. Roy Tatum
as Woodrow Bowzer
Vernon Weddle
as Rev. Hubbard
Jack Stryker
as J.J. Davis
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News & Interviews for Norma Rae

50 F–k Yeah Moments of Female Empowerment in the Movies
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Critic Reviews for Norma Rae

All Critics (27) | Top Critics (6) | Fresh (24) | Rotten (3)

  • As a rule, the filmmakers manufacture fake climaxes every 10 or 15 minutes, poop out and lapse into forgetfulness, just as if they were structuring the material for television.

    March 4, 2019 | Full Review…

    Gary Arnold

    Washington Post
    Top Critic

  • It's a dear and corny story, played with lovable grubbiness by Sally Field and Ron Leibman, but it's not about what you think.

    February 6, 2018 | Full Review…

    Judith Martin

    Washington Post
    Top Critic

  • 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…

    Dave Kehr

    Chicago Reader
    Top Critic

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

    January 11, 2008 | Full Review…

    Variety Staff

    Variety
    Top Critic

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

    January 26, 2006 | Full Review…

    Geoff Andrew

    Time Out
    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 | Rating: 4/5

    Vincent Canby

    New York Times
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (27)

Audience Reviews for Norma Rae

  • Jan 05, 2019
    Field and Leibman are very good here but the movie spends too much time on soap opera-esque character dynamics. If there were more scenes like the iconic one of Field holding up the "union" sign or the workers recounting their difficulties then this might have been a more effective drama.
    Alec B Super Reviewer
  • Jan 23, 2014
    Kind of a relic from a bygone era, Norma Rae is a female unionist who goes through much of the trials and tribulations that one goes through in organizing a union in a hostile environment. Sally Field was nonetheless aptly rewarded for giving it her all.
    John B Super Reviewer
  • Sep 06, 2010
    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.
    Aj V Super Reviewer
  • Jul 26, 2009
    Entertaing and original drama about the development of a Union in a Alabama textile factory. What makes this film great is the relationship between Sally Field and Ron Leibman.Everyone in the film is good,but these two make the film.He is a New York Union organizer and she is a worker in the factory and the both establish a bond right away.They become very close and have a almost romantic relationship without any romantic liaisons,which was very original. The Union story is also very interesting and the film takes its time to develop characters and story.Great direction by Martin Ritt and beautifully photographed by John Alonzo.
    cody f Super Reviewer
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