The predecessor of films such as Erin Brokovich and North Country, Silkwood features an outstanding performance by Meryl Streep who continues to showcase her extraordinary range and chameleon like abilities.

Silkwood tells the true story of Karen Silkwood (Meryl Streep) a chemical technician at the Kerr-McGee plutonium processing plant in Oklahoma.

After a double shift Karen witnesses several men chopping up and burying a truck contaminated with plutonium. On her next shift she is blamed for contaminating her section which draws suspicions from her fellow employees and management who transfer her to another section.

Sick of having all of the blame placed on her, Karen takes a stance against Kerr-McGee and joins the union subsequently blowing the whistle on the plants un-satisfactory working conditions which include the altering of x-rays and high levels of plutonium contamination (Karen herself would be contaminated several times which she believed to be retaliation by Kerr-McGee). Karen would die in a mysterious car accident while she was on her way to speak with a journalist from the New York Times.              

Complete with southern accent and mullet hair cut, Streep does not play Karen Silkwood but becomes Karen Silkwood, a woman who’s aggressive and curious nature spawned an obsession to find the truth behind her employers inadequate working conditions, bringing forward the lack of education given to the workers at the Kerr-McGee plutonium plant and the dangers of a new industry.         

Kurt Russell plays Drew, Karen’s live in boyfriend. Dolly (Cher) also lives with them. Her sexual feelings for Karen places a strain on their friendship, only for it to nearly collapse as Karen begins to alienate all those around her in her quest for the truth. Both Russell and Cher give great performances as the two stars easily slip into these two real life, down to earth figures. Craig T. Nelson is also good as the sleazy Winston, whose actions border on sexual harassment.       

Movies based on real life personalities tend to be an over dramatized account of events, yet Silkwood is different. Director Mike Nichols knows that the strength of his movie lies within the people it is based on, particular that of Karen Silkwood.

You will sympathize with her struggle. Every risk she takes will create knots in your stomach with Nichols knowing when to crank the tension. Every time she is scrubbed down by men in plastic suits using hard brushes you cannot help but wince, and when it is revealed she had been spiked with plutonium you will be angry.

Of course there is a downside, and this can be found in George Delerue’s score which was an unwelcome distraction. Excessive in its use, it kills the subtle tone that audiences will grow accustomed too. And then there is that little spike of hypocrisy in watching Silkwood lobby against the dangers of cancer via plutonium while sucking down cigarettes like it was Coca Cola.

This isn’t a flashy film chock a block full of inspiring monologues and well lit scenes of our dashing heroine fighting against her oppressor’s. Silkwood is a suitably directed movie that likes to take its time, contains many well rounded characters and treats its subjects and subject matter with the proper respect.