Will Wright’s review published on Letterboxd:
Based on the life of textile worker Crystal Lee Sutton, Norma Rae is a moving film depicting an ugly and often forgotten part of American history. Thanks to the film's two female producers, Tamara Asseyeu and Alex Rose, along with liberalminded filmmaker Martin Ritt, Norma Rae is a standout piece of late-70s feminist film. Be it for better or for worse, it ends up being more focused on functioning as a piece of pro-union film as opposed to being more concerned with feminist issues of the day, but the sentiments and ideas are all there.
With that said, Norma Rae manages to evade being labeled as a white savior narrative, which I was fearing. It highlights the high level of involvement African American characters (albeit background ones) played in getting the union established at their textile mill. While they never seemed to take on greater roles in the plot, they were present and you knew they were brave and involved.
Also very much worth noting is that Sally Field delivers an absolutely kick-ass performance in this movie. In many ways, she IS this movie. It's truly no wonder she won an Oscar for best actress in 1980. My favorite scene? When Norma Rae's husband, played by Beau Bridges confronts Norma Rae about inviting a large number of black men into their own home, which prompts Norma to say "I never had any trouble with black men—the only trouble I ever had in my life was with white men." SAVAGE.
Also worth noting: holySHITcapitalismisaHOTmessandwillbethedeathofhumanitywowwhattheFUCK.