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. Read critic reviews

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Norma Rae Photos

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Movie Info

Like a lot of her family before her, Norma Rae (Sally Field) works at the local textile mill, where the pay is hardly commensurate with the long hours and lousy working conditions. But after hearing a rousing speech by labor activist Reuben (Ron Leibman), Norma is inspired to rally her fellow workers behind the cause of unionism. Her decision rankles her family, especially her fiancé, Sonny (Beau Bridges), and provokes no shortage of contempt from her employers.

Rating:

PG
Genre:

drama
Original Language:

English
Director:

Martin Ritt
Producer:

Tamara Asseyev, Alex Rose
Release Date (Streaming):

Jul 1, 2020
Runtime:

1h 53m
Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox

Cast & Crew

Sally Field
Norma Rae

Ron Leibman
Reuben

Beau Bridges
Sonny

Pat Hingle
Vernon

Barbara Baxley
Leona

Gail Strickland
Bonnie Mae

Show all Cast & Crew

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 (7) | 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
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
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
Norma Rae is that rare entity, an intelligent film with heart.

January 11, 2008 | Full Review…

Variety Staff
Variety
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
Quote not available.

January 4, 2004 | Rating: 4/5

Nell Minow
Movie Mom
Norma Rae, the woman's story, is a beautiful film worth seeing.

May 19, 2020 | Full Review…

Kathy Kahn
Big Mama Rag
A good story told with a passionate feeling and a difficult simplicity. [Full Review in Spanish]

August 6, 2019 | Full Review…

Jesús Fernández Santos
El Pais (Spain)
While no flying nun, Sally Field is no less than heavenly as a wife and mother, organizing her fellow workers in a Southern textile factory.

January 30, 2018 | Full Review…

Robert Hatch
The Nation
Based on the true story of a reluctant real-life heroine, this sincere drama with a social conscience makes its union cause authentic, heartfelt and grittily entertaining.

September 6, 2017 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…

Angie Errigo
Radio Times
At its heart, Norma Rae isn't a button-wearing union film as much as it is a character study of one woman who is pushed to the point of doing something spectacular.

April 16, 2014 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…

Kevin Carr
7M Pictures
Inspiring pro-union story is good watch-together fare.

February 1, 2012 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…

Renee Schonfeld
Common Sense Media

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