Dildos in lunch pals, excrement smeared on walls, crotch-grabbing, semen on cloths and near-rape.

Despite being in its third incarceration, VH1’s “I Love the 80s” has yet to touch on the subject of sexual harassment in the workplace. The rise and fall of ’80s hair metal is acceptable, but a life-changing court case is not?

After all, the case of Jenson v. Eveleth Taconite Co., in which a woman filed a class-action sexual harassment lawsuit, was the inspiration for the recently opened film “North Country.”

While “North Country” takes place in 1989, it is still almost unbelievable to think that at a time when all University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee students were living, women were still treated as second-class citizens.

Much like her role in the 2003 biopic “Monster,” Charlize Theron delivers another Oscar- caliber performance portraying Josie Aimes, a working-class single mother desperately trying to feed her two children in frigid northern Minnesota.

Josie takes a high-paying job at the local coal mine only to suffer sexual harassment in the worst ways imaginable — dildos in lunch pals, excrement smeared on walls, crotch-grabbing, semen on cloths and near-rape — until she finally can’t take it anymore.

Much to the disapproval of her co-workers, both male and female, she sues the mines and demands justice.

“North Country” does what good films do: it makes one think and ask questions. The story itself could fit into the category of a Lifetime Network chick flick, but the impassioned performances prevent it from going to the B-list.

If you do not find yourself sympathizing with Theron’s character, your heart must be dead.

Theron is flanked by an incredible supporting cast — Frances McDormand, who retains her “Fargo” accent to a certain degree, Woody Harrelson, Sean Bean and Sissy Spacek — which helps make “North Country” the most powerful movie to come out this year.

> Comments