DVDs: Gritty drama lands Charlize Theron her second Oscar nomination

11:03 AM CST on Friday, February 24, 2006

By CHRIS VOGNAR / The Dallas Morning News

You probably won't see Charlize Theron in the winner's circle come Oscar night. Felicity Huffman and Reese Witherspoon are the only two horses with a chance in the best-actress race, and Ms. Theron had a moment in the Academy sun just two years ago, when she won for Monster.

But she's once again in the final five, and thanks to DVD, you've got plenty of time to check out the film that got her there.

North Country (Warner, $28.98) also landed Frances McDormand a supporting-actress nod, but it's the idea of the glamorous Ms. Theron playing a miner that has elicited the knee-jerk chuckles. Well, you can quit laughing. Ms. Theron proved her range as a serial killer in Monster, and she shows it again here in a less flashy role.

As Josey Aimes, a Minnesota miner who launches a historic sexual harassment suit, she's more than believable as a single mother and as a worker who decides she's had enough of the vicious assaults, the vulgar condescension and the general dehumanization she shares with all of her female coworkers.

The character is based on Lois Jenson, who launched a class-action sexual harassment suit against Eveleth Mines in 1988. Ms. Jenson and some of her coworkers appear in the DVD's making-of featurette; you can also read the real story of Jenson vs. Eveleth in the book Class Action: The Story of Lois Jenson and the Landmark Case That Changed Sexual Harassment Law.

North Country has its share of Big Hollywood Moments. It was, after all, nominated for Oscars. But it's also filled with essential truths about sexual harassment, specifically regarding the fears of those brave enough to step forward and the moral and intellectual feebleness of the "Boys will be boys" defense.

In short, it's an "important" movie that's actually important.

With little fanfare or name recognition, David Grubin has spent much of his career making a series of exhaustive and engaging documentary portraits of U.S. presidents. One of these films, FDR, finally hit DVD last month. Three more arrived last week: TR: The Life of Teddy Roosevelt, Truman and LBJ (Paramount/PBS, $24.99 each).

Originally shown on PBS' American Experience, they're all outstanding and highly recommended for history teachers trying to coax the apathy out of their students. But LBJ stands tallest around these parts, especially in its exploration of mid-century Texas politics. If you don't have time for Robert A. Caro's mammoth Johnson biographies, this is a perfect primer.

In 1941, Johnson lost his maiden Senate run to Texas Gov. W. Lee "Pappy" O'Daniel. The Johnson camp cried ballot-box stuffing. In 1948, Johnson rebounded by defeating Coke Stevenson by 87 votes, thanks to some 11th hour help from the infamous Precinct Box 13. Most of those interviewed in LBJ agree that Johnson benefited from some behind-the-scenes chicanery. Just in case you thought these sorts of controversies started six years ago in Florida.

For a different kind of presidential story, there's Criterion's new edition of John Ford's Young Mr. Lincoln ($39.95). It's a magnificent if idealized portrait of the 16th president as a young lawyer, played by the ever-dignified Henry Fonda. Mr. Ford's film may seem dated, but it's also a welcome diversion at a time when Lincoln studies are piling up fast enough to form their own cottage publishing industry.

E-mail cvognar@dallasnews.com