Film: Made in Dagenham
Cast includes: Sally Hawkins (Happy-Go-Lucky), Geraldine James (Alice in Wonderland), Bob Hoskins (Enemy at the Gates), Rosamund Pike (Barney’s Version), Rupert Graves (Death at a Funeral), Miranda Richardson (The Hours)
Director: Nigel Cole (Saving Grace)
Genre: Drama based on historic events (2010)
In brief: In 1968 Ford’s Dagenham, England factory employed thousands of men… and 187 women sewing leatherette seat upholstery. These days Connie, the shop steward, struggles to be on time since her husband’s health has taken a bad turn. Her friend Rita O’Grady often covers for her in a pinch. When a vote is taken on whether to go forward with the “industrial action,” it’s an overwhelming “yea” vote. Two women are chosen to meet with the union bosses… Connie and Rita. They’re supposed to be at the meeting to listen but not to talk. At issue is the new grading structure. The “girls” are still considered unskilled labor, and they’re paid as unskilled workers. It’s obviously wrong, but the union has other priorities, and the girls “can’t jump the cue.” “Bollix,” says Rita under her breath.
Rita never intended to become the shop’s spokesperson, but Connie can’t do it, and they “need a leader who can make the issues clear.” And as it turns out, there’s one issue that’s more important than the grading structure or the abysmal working conditions. Why is Ford allowed to pay women less than men? As things heat up, it becomes increasingly clear that the women are serious about equal pay. So Ford steps up its opposition… using every tactic they can. Ford isn’t the only employer that thinks paying women less is standard operating procedure. If the women won’t back down, this could be an ugly battle, indeed.
Rita is such a petite, unassuming woman that men don’t consider her much of a threat at first. So it’s quite an irony that she’s able to convince the other “girls” to take actions that end up stopping production at the entire Dagenham factory. More than just an issue of economics, the pervasive feeling in England… and the world, for that matter… is that women just aren’t as valuable as men. Even well educated women are trapped as second-class citizens, we learn. So there’s much more at stake than just Dagenham’s 187 “girls.” Rita feels it’s time to stop “fighting for the scraps under the table…” even if this issue has to go all the way to the highest political powers in England. Like the character Rita, this film is rather unassuming, especially in comparison to American movies with David and Goliath themes. Petite Rita is certainly more of a hero than, for example, Rocky Balboa… but without the triumphant music.
3 popped kernels
Rita and "the girls" changed history
Rated: R
Primary Audience: Grown-ups
Gender Appeal: Any audience
Distribution: Art house
Mood: Both upbeat and somber
Tempo: Cruses comfortably
Visual Style: Unvarnished realism
Character Development: Engaging
Language: Some difficult British accents
