Made in Dagenham (2010)

MADE IN DAGENHAM is sort of a British version of NORMA RAE.

The film, based on a true story, is set in the late 1960s. It tells of a group of English women, employed at the Ford Motor Factory, who took on management and their own union by going out on strike, insisting on equal pay for equal work.

The always charming Sally Hawkins, playing an ordinary working class wife and mother, becomes the unexpected leader of the revolt, encouraged by her sympathetic union representative (Bob Hoskins) and, surprisingly, the attractive wife (Rosamund Pike) of the plant's manager, a highly educated, intelligent woman who, as a female, feels the same lack of respect from the men in her life.

Like the Sally Field classic, MADE IN DAGENHAM is one of those "stand up and cheer" movies that climaxes when the striking women meet with Miranda Richardson, the British Secretary of State. The film has a superb screenplay by William Ivory and was directed by Nigel Cole. Also in the well-chosen cast are Geraldine James, Jamie Winstone, Rupert Graves, Nicola Duffett and Richard Schiff, who plays the tough American Ford representative, sent to the UK to put those striking women in their place.

My only complaint with this otherwise excellent entertainment is the fact that, because England and the United States do not share a common language, some of the dialogue is difficult to understand.

© Michael B. Druxman

MADE IN DAGENHAM is a 'dramatized documentary' in that it is a recreation of a 1968 incident that occurred in Dagenham, a suburb of London. It was the time of Stonewall and the antiwar protests in America and so perhaps too few people appreciated the importance of this rebellion a strike of equal rights, equal pay, and a statement against sexual discrimination at the Ford car factory. The employed women of the town were the ones responsible for creating the upholstery for the cars, but when one Rita O'Grady (Sally Hawkins) took on the inequalities she manage to become the spokeswoman for the female workers and the revolt was successful in settling a longterm problem.

The cast of this quiet little powerhouse of a movie includes the brilliance of Miranda Richardson, Bob Hoskins, Rosamund Pike, Rupert Graves, Andrea Riseborough, Jaime Winstone and many others. The screenplay was written by William Ivory and the understated and subtle direction is by Nigel Cole. This is a brilliant little movie that packs a wallop. Grady Harp, May 11

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"Made in Dagenham" received good buzz from critics and award committes alike, but I wasn't sure if I'd be watching another chick-flick. Rest assured, there's enough guy involvement to make this a generally pleasing true story about equal rights. The delightful Sally Hawkins is on hand to provide a strong and centered heroine, and the always reliable Miranda Richardson scores as hard-as-nails Barbara Castle.

There will be comparisons to "Norma Rae", but this film isn't as character driven; rather, the ensemble excels as a whole to provide insight as well as strong entertainment.

I enjoyed it more than expected; glad I saw it.

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There are a number of movies made that feature the real life stories of situations and people involved in them. It may be true that these stories are a bit embellished in an attempt to compact them into anywhere from 90 to 120 minutes, but the story at the heart always remains the same. And when it's a good story it makes the viewer want to find out more. Such is the case with MADE IN DAGENHAM.

Set in 1968, the ladies at the Ford plant in Dagenham, England, work just as hard as the men there. Their jobs may be different, but its work, it's difficult and they sweat the same as the men do. The problem is they don't get paid the same. When their local union rep Albert (Bob Hoskins) talks to them about it, they decide to go on a 24 hour strike.

The 187 women do so with the support of their fellow workers, the 55,000 men who work there as well at first. They've been told that the reason for the lower pay was the due to the scales established by work performance studies. When they learn the truth, that it is simply because they are female, the women don't take to well to their situation. Instead they decide to continue the strike longer.

The woman leading this charge is Rita O'Grady (Sally Hawkins), a mother and wife who finds herself drawn into the role of leader unwillingly at first. As shop steward she usually drops back to allow her friend to keep things on track. But with the convincing of Albert who sees her as a natural leader, she takes on the job of seeing to it that their grievances are met.

The one thing that's interesting here is that it's not just the factory that chooses to abuse these women. Their own union does so as well, agreeing to put their case on a back burner in an effort to get other grievances dealt with first. And as the film progresses, you see the upper echelon of the union choose to protect his own deals, protecting himself rather than stand up for what's right for his members.

But the strike takes its toll on the members. To being with the loss in pay affects all their way of life. And when the stockpiled goods these women made runs dry, rather than give in the company just lays off everyone. This leads to a great deal of resentment among the workers, mostly the men. They seem to have forgotten the women that stood behind them each time they went on strike, including Rita's husband.

Ford plays hardball with these women, doing their best to break the strike. Their greatest fear is that if they change their rules here, they'll have to do so all over the world. The costs would be high and they aren't willing to do so. So much so that their representative even meets with British Secretary of State Barbara Mason (Miranda Richardson) and basically threatens to pull out all of their factories if she doesn't make this stop.

The struggle seen here is not only interesting but inspiring as well. These women were not striking for some penny ante change 5 years down the line in a contract but for the simple right to be paid what they were worth, exactly what the men were being paid. And the sacrifices they made to get there were astonishing and painful.

Keep in mind, this is the 60s and at the time women were not being paid equally not just here but anywhere. Even though I grew up during this time I was stunned to think it hadn't happened yet. How could it be that equal pay did not equal wages? Even more amazing is to consider the fact that in some cases it hasn't changed.

The film could be one of those drawn out boring biopics that seem to take forever to get to the point. Instead it starts with the discussion of the problem and moves it forward, focusing not just on the strike but how it affects everyone. This makes for an interesting film that holds your attention throughout and never gets boring.

The acting is above par. Sally Hawkins does a great job as Rita, a woman who simply does what's right. She doesn't set out to be a hero, she reluctantly takes on the role of one, but when she sets her mind to it she follows through to the end. The rest of the cast does an equally outstanding job, showing varying examples of the women involved and how they cope with their day to day struggle.

I think the best thing about this film was its showing that there could be wrong on both sides of the coin. Rather than depict the company as only bad guy in the film they offer us a look at the fact that even the union at the time was unwilling at first to help their own members. Its and even handed look at the problem and, as I said, amazing to think that it took until that time for equal pay to be even considered.

The movie is one that does what a film should do. It entertains, it informs and it doesn't put you to sleep while combining both of those items. For something that's a joy to watch and that educates, make sure that you rent this movie. It will be worth your while.

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Great cast, including Miranda Richardson and Sally Hawkins, in a real-life story of 1968 labor dispute. Cannot understand why this film never played in ordinary theatres. We had to buy it in order to see it, but it is well worth the price.

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