Genre: Drama/Comedy Director: Nigel Cole Cast: Sally Hawkins,
Bob Hoskins, Miranda Richardson, Andrea Riseborough,
Rosamund Pike, Jamie Winstone, Nicola Duffett, Lorraine Stanley,
Richard Schiff, Geraldine James, Rupert Graves RunTime: 1 hr 53 mins Released By: GV Rating: M18 Official Website:
Opening Day: 31 March 2011
Synopsis:
Set against the backdrop of the 1960s, Made in Dagenham is
based on a true story about a group of spirited women who
joined forces, took a stand for what was right, and in doing
so, found their own inner strength. Although far from the
Swinging Sixties of Carnaby Street, life for the women of
Dagenham, England is tinged with the sounds and sights of
the optimistic era, heard on their radios and seen on their
TV sets. Rita O'Grady (Sally Hawkins) reflects that upbeat
era, along with her friends and co-workers at the city's Ford
Motor Factory -- Sandra (Jamie Winstone), Eileen (Nicola Duffett),
Brenda (Andrea Riseborough), Monica (Lorraine Stanley) and
Connie (Geraldine James) -- who laugh in the face of their
poor conditions. Lisa (Rosamund Pike) is a fiercely intelligent
Cambridge-educated woman who feels a bit trapped, tending
to the home with a husband that suggests she keep her opinions
to herself. She may not live in the same world as the other
women, but she shares their views. No one thought the revolution
would come to Dagenham, until one day, it did. Rita, who primarily
sees herself as a wife and mother, is coerced into attending
a meeting with shop steward Connie, sympathetic union representative
Albert (Bob Hoskins) and Peter Hopkins (Rupert Graves), Ford's
Head of Industrial Relations. What she expects to be simply
a day out of work, complete with a free lunch, turns into
much more when she and her colleagues become outraged by the
lack of respect shown in the meeting to the women employees.
With humor, common sense and courage Rita and the other women
take on their bosses, an increasingly belligerent local community,
and finally the government, as their intelligence and unpredictability
proves to be a match for any of their male opponents. Daring
to stand up and push boundaries, the women changed a system
that no one wanted to admit was broken.
Movie Review:
It’s one of those moments when
you look at yourself in the mirror and wonder: “What
have I done with this life of mine?” As age catches
up with us, such reflective moments occur often – whether
you are male or female. You also wonder: “What if I
had actually fought for what I believed in? How would that
have changed my life?”
The above preamble is one thought which stuck
in our minds after the end credits of this British film started
rolling. And for a female dominated movie which screams “Give
Us Gender Equality Or Give Us Death”, it is interesting
for a male columnist to pen this review.
Based on real life events of the 1968 Ford
sewing machinists strike at the Ford Dagenham assembly plant,
the story’s protagonist is Rita O’Grady, who represented
a group of underpaid women and brought them to walk out in
protest against sexual discrimination. They demanded for equal
pay, and the result brought about the Equal Pay Act 1970 which
prohibits any less favourable treatment between men and women
in terms of pay and conditions of employment.
Yes, my counterparts of the opposite gender,
things were much worse back then. So there’s no need
to go on, and on, and on about almost every other thing is
against you these days.
Directed by Nigel Cole (A Lot Like Love,
Calendar Girls), the star here is undoubtedly Sally Hawkins
(Never Let Me Go, An Education) who plays the fictional protagonist.
The strike leader was an invention of the filmmakers, and
represented the hundreds of women who carried out the strikes
in 1968. Hawkins gives a convincing and almost inspiring performance
as a woman who wanted her voice to be heard. She is complemented
by a wonderful British cast including Miranda Richardson (Fred
Claus, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire), Geraldine James
(Alice in Wonderland, Sherlock Holmes) and Rosamund Pike (Surrogates,
Die Another Day). Each woman holds her own weight in this
ensemble piece where the men (Bob Hoskins, Daniel Mays) take
a backseat to let their counterparts shine.
The 113 minute film is a breeze to sit through,
and the easy viewing will please the masses, especially with
its positive message of gender equality. There isn’t
much political undertone in this BAFTA nominated production,
and we are guessing it’s the filmmakers’ intentions
to make this as digestible as possible to draw in the crowds.
The product is a very agreeable piece with dazzling performances
from its cast. Though formulaic, the film still impresses
viewers with its costume design and set pieces, which reflect
the 1960s’ way of life.
What struck this male reviewer isn’t
the women’s fight for equality (this theme has been
explored by countless other films), but the possibility of
giving up a life which one has always dreamed of, but had
no guts to materialising. Watch out for the well acted scene
between Hawkins and Pike, where the two engage in a conversation
about fighting for what an individual truly believes in. This
sequence will have you wanting to go out there to pick up
where you left off, and pursuing what your heart tells you.
And
we can confidently say, those who succeed are those who will
make history – like the women of Dagenham.
Movie Rating:
(Featuring a marvellous British cast, this undemanding
movie is one which wants you to fulfill your dreams)
