Made in Dagenham reviews
Review by on 28 Sep 2010
In introducing the closing night film, MADE IN DAGENHAM (dir. Nigel Cole), producer Stephen Woolley told the story of the film’s inception: while listening to BBC Radio 4’s The Reunion programme he heard about the women who went on strike at the Ford plant in Dagenham in 1968, resulting in the introduction of the Equal Pay Act in 1970. Woolley wanted to share this inspiring story, and four years later his feel-good tribute is hitting screens with a splash of ‘60s colour and an all-star cast.
Sally Hawkins gives an excellent performance as the hero Rita, who leads her fellow machinists at the Ford plant to strike for the first time in protest against their work being classified as unskilled. The women fight male chauvinism in management and the union, their protest growing to include the fight for women’s equal pay and gaining the attention of the media, the secretary of state, and Henry Ford II.
MADE IN DAGENHAM is a celebratory film, a recognition of the strength and achievements of the 187 female machinists at the plant. In the Q&A after the screening, Stephen Woolley contrasted it with commonly angsty British films about the ‘60s, but it’s certainly not unfamiliar fare for viewers of other recent British drama/comedies about workers’ rights and hardships such as THE FULL MONTY (1997) and BILLY ELLIOT (2000). While Woolley insists the film is not a ‘clarion call for feminism’, its production is timely in a period of feminist renaissance and the film has a particularly poignant and political edge because equal pay for women has still not been fully achieved.
Claire Henry
Sally Hawkins gives an excellent performance as the hero Rita, who leads her fellow machinists at the Ford plant to strike for the first time in protest against their work being classified as unskilled. The women fight male chauvinism in management and the union, their protest growing to include the fight for women’s equal pay and gaining the attention of the media, the secretary of state, and Henry Ford II.
MADE IN DAGENHAM is a celebratory film, a recognition of the strength and achievements of the 187 female machinists at the plant. In the Q&A after the screening, Stephen Woolley contrasted it with commonly angsty British films about the ‘60s, but it’s certainly not unfamiliar fare for viewers of other recent British drama/comedies about workers’ rights and hardships such as THE FULL MONTY (1997) and BILLY ELLIOT (2000). While Woolley insists the film is not a ‘clarion call for feminism’, its production is timely in a period of feminist renaissance and the film has a particularly poignant and political edge because equal pay for women has still not been fully achieved.
Claire Henry
Review by on 28 Sep 2010
Entertaining and educational.
Review by on 27 Sep 2010
It's not as much a review as a comment.
although I enjoyed the film very much and support the Idea and need to celebrate such an event, it struck me again how far behind the film industry is in terms of equality.
Casting mostly young beautiful fashionable woman in the main roles of a film about women equality strikes me as a big opportunity missed!
Interesting roles for woman over 40 in British films are so rare ....
Look at the pictures of the original woman that are shown at the end ... less sexy, yes; but surely equally if not more joyful!
although I enjoyed the film very much and support the Idea and need to celebrate such an event, it struck me again how far behind the film industry is in terms of equality.
Casting mostly young beautiful fashionable woman in the main roles of a film about women equality strikes me as a big opportunity missed!
Interesting roles for woman over 40 in British films are so rare ....
Look at the pictures of the original woman that are shown at the end ... less sexy, yes; but surely equally if not more joyful!
Review by on 27 Sep 2010
Rousing, celebratory ending to Made In Dagenham was a fitting end to my festival experience.
Film details
Made in Dagenham
Actor: Rosamund Pike
Director: Nigel Cole
Actor: Sally Hawkins
Actor: Bob Hoskins
Actor: Miranda Richardson
Director: Nigel Cole
Actor: Sally Hawkins
Actor: Bob Hoskins
Actor: Miranda Richardson
England, 2010.
113 mins.
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