Made in Dagenham could have been a more intense drama, but instead comes off as a relaxed historical drama depicting the fight for equal pay for women in the workplace in 1960's England. This is a fun period film, replete with 1960's fashion, insights into working class British lifestyle, and shifting solidarity in the factories.
Plot and Cast of Characters in Made in Dagenham, the 2010 Movie with Sally Hawkins
Rita O'Grady (played by Sally Hawkins) is an unpretentious, even initially unambitious and therefor unlikely hero of an historical landmark labor victory. Rita is encouraged to represent 187 women sewing machine operators in the Ford factory in 1960's England to demand a higher pay scale: to demand pay as "skilled" workers. By sheer pluck, she demands that not only are they skilled, but should be paid equal to that of men.
What results is the central theme of the movie: a three-week workers' strike on the part of the women. The movie celebrates the hardships of the strike only briefly, making this a feel-good drama of solidarity after only a little bit of tension (e.g. husbands complaining, men factory workers not initially supporting the women).
Rita's character rises to celebrity status, and she encounters victory after meeting with Britain's female Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity (played very well by Miranda Richardson) who empathizes with the plight of the women workers. One interesting subplot is her chance encounter and tenuous affinity (their sons go to the same school and are harassed by the same teacher) with Lisa Hopkins, the wife of a Ford Motor Company executive (played by Rosamund Pike).
Review of the Movie, Made in Dagenham
Overall, the movie was good, not great. There were two main problems: the movie might have tried to cover too much and was kind of spread thin; and it was too much of a "feel good" movie for such an intensely emotional and socio-political theme. The process of labor change and demand for human rights is never an easy road, and I feel that this movie just did not have enough heartache in it.
The acting was great, which is really what carried the movie. There were several outstanding scenes with Sally Hawkins, especially one where her turmoil with her relationship with her husband (played by Daniel Mays) comes to a head. The costuming and period representation was also great.
I recommend this film for those who love the 1960s, for those who are curious about critical events in labor history, and for those who are a fan of Bob Hoskins and Sally Hawkins.
Made in Dagenham
Run Time: 1 hr. 53 min.
Rating: R
Release Date:November 19, 2010
by Sony Pictures Classics
Join the Conversation