Review of Made in Dagenham (2010) by Martin P — 14 Mar 2013

It's an old cliché, but it still holds true; you can't beat a good story well told. Made in Dagenham takes us back into this little pocket of the world, brings the place to life, makes us invest in the characters (through a series of excellent performances from both the lead and supporting cast), and brings to light a story I, for one, had no knowledge about in a way that was both very powerful and deeply moving.

It manages to handle a series of plot points without ever becoming overstretched, and I defy anybody not to end the film smiling, with a real sense of pride in what they had achieved. There are a few points in the film, however, where you could see it on the verge of tipping over into over into over-sentimentality or maybe making it a bit too simplistic and easy (the most blatant of these was when a Union delegate stands up and asks to hear what the ladies have to say.

..cue speech), but the tone of the film, and the amount of real emotion it displays (and you have invested within it) mean that on every twist and turn you are still totally with it, and that is a real credit to those in front of, and behind, the camera.

Overall then, this is a little gem of a movie, that should serve as inspiration to all who see it, as well as a thoroughly entertaining watch.