Rating: 
Summary: One of the 10 Best Performances by an Actress Ever!!!
Review: "Norma Rae" contains the thrilling performance by Sally Field as a woman on the wrong side of the tracks of life who decides it's time to stand up for the rights of her co-workers at a small textile plant. She is offered and accepts a promotion when the plant's management tries to divert her, but a supervisory role doesn't appeal to her when her mother loses her hearing and she has to chastise her father for poor performance. Logically, inevitably she becomes more committed to fighting for a better life for herself and her loved ones and joins forces with a union organizer who came down from NYC. She ends up sacrificing all, including her self esteem, to give the workers more control over their working conditions. Chills ran down my spine during the scene where she held up the "union" sign and another where she rebuked her husband for being non-supportive of her union efforts. I am not a union supporter, but I know good drama, strong performances, and a logical and interesting plot when I see it, so I recommend this fine film to all. Hopefully they will give as much time and attention to dubbing and subtitling this movie into languages of third world countries because that's where this textile plant probably relocated a year after the events this film portrayed. A sad, sad outcome to an ideal. No matter what the outcome, Sally Field delivers one of the finest performances in film history so "Norma Rae" gets only my highest recommendations!
Rating:
Summary: One of the 10 Best Performances by an Actress Ever!!!
Review: "Norma Rae" contains the thrilling performance by Sally Field as a woman on the wrong side of the tracks of life who decides it's time to stand up for the rights of her co-workers at a small textile plant. She is offered and accepts a promotion when the plant's management tries to divert her, but a supervisory role doesn't appeal to her when her mother loses her hearing and she has to chastise her father for poor performance. Logically, inevitably she becomes more committed to fighting for a better life for herself and her loved ones and joins forces with a union organizer who came down from NYC. She ends up sacrificing all, including her self esteem, to give the workers more control over their working conditions. Chills ran down my spine during the scene where she held up the "union" sign and another where she rebuked her husband for being non-supportive of her union efforts. I am not a union supporter, but I know good drama, strong performances, and a logical and interesting plot when I see it, so I recommend this fine film to all. Hopefully they will give as much time and attention to dubbing and subtitling this movie into languages of third world countries because that's where this textile plant probably relocated a year after the events this film portrayed. A sad, sad outcome to an ideal. No matter what the outcome, Sally Field delivers one of the finest performances in film history so "Norma Rae" gets only my highest recommendations!
Rating: 
Summary: A stunning achievement!
Review: Director Martin Ritt reportedly commented that his film of a mother working in a southern textile mill was flawed but that he hoped it was a realtistic portrayal of life and its flaws. It's tough to find the flaws in this superb film that earned Sally Field the first of her two Oscars ("Places in the Heart" won her the second five years later). As mill worker Norma Rae, Field's character lands the reluctant role of union organizer but in the process uncovers the essence of her own character and courage. The latter is no better conveyed than in what turned out to be one of cinematic history's most memorable images when the near-beaten Norma Rae stands on a table in front of 800 co-workers and, in so doing, becomes her own person. The film expertly conveys life in a southern town, but its devastating impact is Norma Rae's gradual emergence as a truly courageous person who is willing to risk it all to literally stand up for what she knows is right. Field's riveting performance reeled in every major acting award the year the film was released, and justly so. It may well remain her best work ever.
Rating:
Summary: wonderful movie
Review: I agree with the reviewer below who said this film is a wonderful love story. I developed a huge crush on Ron Leibman's character about five minutes after he is introduced.
This is a powerful film in many ways, and the subtle love story is just one of them.
Norma Rae is a movie that speaks to me because my family worked in mills for many years. My grandparents, uncle and mom all went through a local mill (no longer in existance) at some point in their lives. I remember the hard conditions and the sight of the real mill workers from Opelika walking across the screen hit home for me. I cried during several parts and I felt like Norma's daddy was my own grandfather. I admire the people who made this film. It is truly a hidden treasure because it isn't flashy, it is simple, straightforward and true to life. And if Ron is out there anywhere reading this, please believe me when I say you truly brought Ruben to life and made him a wonderful hero to me. Sally Field was a hero as well, one that makes you love her and who cares about the flaws.
Please watch this movie. It will make you think. It will make you grateful. It will make you cry in sadness and joy.
My only complaint is, gee I would have tried to at least KISS Ruben at some point. Ladies, watch the last scene and see if you don't agree with me!
Rating:
Summary: A textbook example of how to organize in your workplace!!
Review: I finally got the chance to watch this movie after missing out for almost 20 years. I should have watched this film years ago. Not only is Sally Field's acting great, but the screenplay was just as great as well. My only problem was the length of the movie as I thought 20 minutes could have been chopped off. With that said, this movie should be mandatory watching for all workers. If you care about the conditions in your workplace, watch it and learn how to organize your workplace!! It's a film much needed for required viewing in our society today!
Rating:
Summary: A textbook example of how to organize in your workplace!!
Review: I finally got the chance to watch this movie after missing out for almost 20 years. I should have watched this film years ago. Not only is Sally Field's acting great, but the screenplay was just as great as well. My only problem was the length of the movie as I thought 20 minutes could have been chopped off. With that said, this movie should be mandatory watching for all workers. If you care about the conditions in your workplace, watch it and learn how to organize your workplace!! It's a film much needed for required viewing in our society today!
Rating:
Summary: Always Meant To See It!
Review: I found this very moving, cried several times. Loved the Jewish/New York Organizer meeting up with, and liking, the Southern Woman. Their friendship in the film is not eroticized in an obvious way, and I found that inspiring. Having lived, and been an outsider in, the South for 16 years; and having worked in factories in Virginia, Arkansas and California for about three years, many touches ring true. I love that movies of the 70's had courage and heart, and were trying to "say something." Where are the politically-inspiring movies of today? Why isn't this shown on cable more often? It gives alot of information on union organizing! Seems like people would want to know this stuff. I'm quite curious to learn more now. Why don't people talk about unions anymore? Did they get a bad rap? Wages are still unfair, factory work is hard hard and people are paid peanuts. UNION!!
Rating:
Summary: A Working Class Hero
Review: It is a very simple story. Nor so many twists, neither an unforgettable love affair. So, why do people love this little film so much? Because it is very, very heartfelt and deals with a subjetc very interesting. Plus, Sally Field's performance is deeply touching. "Norma Rae" is the story of a working woman who gets tired of being exploited by the factory she works for, which is one of the few companies in her town, where her whole family has been working for years, and in the future so will her children. After meeting a man from the Textil Union, she starts to get involved with the organization, and the fights for the workers' rights as well. Slowly she gets concious that union and Union make a whole difference. What I think is most interesting in this movie is the fact that is very timeless and placeless. Even now, 20 years later of its releasing, the subject is still up to date, everywhere there are employees fighting against unfair employers. And even though, it is about political and social aspects of society, the film does not tries to give you a lecture. As I aforementioned, Sally Field deliveries very good. The transformation of Nora from a party girls who only wants to date and drink into a working class hero is completely believable. Moreover, we stay by her side all the time rooting for her gets the rights they want. The supporting cast does also a very good work. Ron Liebman -- as the man who introduces Norma to the Union, and becomes a kind of mentor to her -- and Beau Bridges -- as her husband-- are very impressive. Martin Ritt's direction is very discreet and effective. All in all, I highly recomend this movie. It is very entertaining and deep. People who are looking for some intelligent and touching film should go straight to this one.
Rating:
Summary: wonderful movie
Review: Sally Field gives a career turning performance in 1979's Norma Rae. Up to that point, Ms. Field was better known as a TV actress who starred in fluffy comedies like Gidget, The Flying Nun & The Girl With Something Extra. In 1976, she showed a more serious side, taking home an Emmy for her work as a young girl with multiple personalities in Sybil. After Sybil, she proceeded to star in more fluff pieces like Smokey & The Bandit, Hooper & The End with her then boyfriend Burt Reynolds. Norma Rae was a film with much more substance. In fact after reading the script, Mr. Reynolds advised her that she would win an Oscar for the film. He turned out to be quite prophetic. Ms. Field is superb in the title role. Norma is an unassuming factory worker from a small town in the South, who is widowed and has two kids with two separate fathers. That is until she meets Reuben Warshawky (Ron Liebman). Reuben is an Union organizer from New York City and he is trying to get the mill workers to set up a union. Most people ignore as they are fearful for their jobs, but Norma is intrigued and she starts meeting with Reuben to try and start a union. She is met with resistance and is bullied by her bosses, but Norma is not persuaded to quit. She feels that she has stood by her whole life without making a difference and this is her chance to actually matter. There is of course the famous scene where Norma is about to be removed from the mill and she defiantly stands on a table with the Union sign. Her co-workers one by one realize the chances she's taken for them and they shut off their machines in support. The film has some excellent supporting work from Mr. Liebman, Beau Bridges and Pat Hingle, but this is Ms. Field's film all the way. She proved Mr. Reynolds right and took home the 1979 Best Actress Oscar and set forth on a path that would add another Oscar to her collection and feature some of the best films of 1980's & 1990's.
Rating:
Summary: Rae of Hope
Review: Sally Field gives a career turning performance in 1979's Norma Rae. Up to that point, Ms. Field was better known as a TV actress who starred in fluffy comedies like Gidget, The Flying Nun & The Girl With Something Extra. In 1976, she showed a more serious side, taking home an Emmy for her work as a young girl with multiple personalities in Sybil. After Sybil, she proceeded to star in more fluff pieces like Smokey & The Bandit, Hooper & The End with her then boyfriend Burt Reynolds. Norma Rae was a film with much more substance. In fact after reading the script, Mr. Reynolds advised her that she would win an Oscar for the film. He turned out to be quite prophetic. Ms. Field is superb in the title role. Norma is an unassuming factory worker from a small town in the South, who is widowed and has two kids with two separate fathers. That is until she meets Reuben Warshawky (Ron Liebman). Reuben is an Union organizer from New York City and he is trying to get the mill workers to set up a union. Most people ignore as they are fearful for their jobs, but Norma is intrigued and she starts meeting with Reuben to try and start a union. She is met with resistance and is bullied by her bosses, but Norma is not persuaded to quit. She feels that she has stood by her whole life without making a difference and this is her chance to actually matter. There is of course the famous scene where Norma is about to be removed from the mill and she defiantly stands on a table with the Union sign. Her co-workers one by one realize the chances she's taken for them and they shut off their machines in support. The film has some excellent supporting work from Mr. Liebman, Beau Bridges and Pat Hingle, but this is Ms. Field's film all the way. She proved Mr. Reynolds right and took home the 1979 Best Actress Oscar and set forth on a path that would add another Oscar to her collection and feature some of the best films of 1980's & 1990's.
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