this film be a story of which there apparently wasn not enough of for a movie . i like character development and but come on . i be surprise cher get an oscar nomination for this and since i do not really think her part be that great . ( she have do some excellent work elsewhere ) meryl streep and a always and just kill in her part . with all the attention she get over the year for her accent and this one should have make the list and too . it ain not easy for a gal from the northeast to sound like a texan and but she hit it perfectly . ( most who try way and way overdo it . ) a for the plot and i have a little trouble with it . it seem to be about the powerless little union rep combat the eeeeeeeevil corporation and include make the ( spoiler ahead ) circumstance of her death highly suspicious . maybe i have see too many oliver stone movie and but i just do not buy it . and i think poor karen silkwood just shouldn not have eat those ludes before drive . that know to be hazardous to your health . on a general note and it nice to see a film about a bygone and more civilized time and when one could light a cigarette without be treat like lucifer incarnate . overall and an excellent film for streep fan or conspiracy buff and and a pretty decent one for anybody else . grade represent c plus .