Forget `Fargo' _ actors put accent on Minnesota realism.

Byline: Chris Hewitt

When Charlize Theron asked Minnesotans their thoughts about portraying an Iron Ranger in "North Country," they asked her to make sure the movie did two things: Tell the truth. Don't overdo the accent.

"It's the hardest accent I've ever had to do," says Theron, a native of South Africa who has played Brits, New Yorkers, an Arkansan and a Swede in previous roles. "It usually takes me about three days to get an accent down, but this one took me two weeks."

Theron did her homework before shooting the film, which opens Friday and is based on the true story of female taconite miners who filed a landmark sexual harassment suit against Eveleth Mines. She made a preliminary trip to the Iron Range to chat with natives. She …