Review of Made in Dagenham (2010) by Tino R — 16 Dec 2011

A wonderful look into a time and a place, Made in Dagenham on the surface tells the tale of how 187 women auto workers (they ran Singer sewing machines all day making upholstery for Ford) banded together and brought about equal pay for women.

But looking beyond that admirable feat, you have a nice look into the glass ceiling, good old boy network, as well as the standard mores of the time where women were considered second class citizens.

The film may be a bit too "bright, shiny day" as it seems Sally Hawkins simply cannot do otherwise, but while you may be wishing to delve into more pathos, the story told here is a good one and it's told well. Simply from a historical perspective... 50,000 employees at Ford's Dagenham plant (and many more at another plant in Liverpool) - that makes up a considerable work force - something that perhaps Americans were unaware of back then, as Ford was the #1 company on the planet.

That Ford employed so many people world wide makes the backbones of the story all the more creditable - from Ford's standpoint, if they cave in to the women's demands to be treated as equal "skilled labor" to the men, the trickle down world wide would amount to a fair chunk of change. So they use their power by numbers to attempt to influence the new Prime Minister (and, as fate would have it, the leader of the Labor Party). Richard Schiff portrays Ford's agent abroad and has a wonderful toe to toe with the Labor Secretary, in a typically marvelous performance by Miranda Richardson. Richardson's Ms. Castle knows the political game, and treads lightly for a time before telling two "good old boy" aids who have been advising her to step up and stop the strike in a condescending manor, "gentlemen, you've heard the tales about fiery red-heads, well I'm here to suggest that the rumors are true. Look at my hair and let me tell you that I'm tired of your pompous, condescending attitude; so get the hell out of my office!!" Pure Richardson with perfect delivery.

The film also delves into union graft where you get to see the similarly wonderful Bob Hoskins on display, playing a shop steward and everyman, with a twinkle in his eye as he thumbs his nose at his "betters" - the union brass.

Further you get a glimpse of a 1968 way of life - Ford provided the housing for their workers, also providing schooling for the children - which unfortunately allows for yet another display of class warfare as the uppity teachers look down their nose at the children of the working class. In addition, you are witness to the struggles of Hawkins family, especially concerning her relationship with her husband, a fellow Auto worker. When the plant is shut down due to there no longer being any upholstery for the assembly line, it takes a toll, especially in light of hubby having to man more and more of the family chores as Hawkins is running about campaigning. There's a scene in which he complains to her, and says that while he supports what she's trying to accomplish, he's feeling taken advantage of. He then tries to lay it on that he's a good guy, hardly ever in his cups, and never raising a hand to Hawkins or her children. Hawkins glares at him as if he's from another planet and utters that his behavior should be the norm.

That this Nuevo suffragette movement came at the same time as the civil rights movement in the US is no coincidence, and it makes me wonder... if all the protests from that period could have such a sweeping effect and change, will the current "occupy" movement and backlash against non-representational government net a similar result? Wouldn't that be something!