Review of Made in Dagenham (2010) by Dave J — 23 Oct 2010

It somehow feels strange to see a film that has a political theme and yet is upbeat and funny, probably because there are usually so few happy stories in the news. We certainly don't get to see many tales of successful defiance by the underdog against corporate exploitation these days; but that's what 'Made In Dagenham' delivers, whilst sweetening the pill with a lot of saucy humour.

At times, for instance when Bob Hoskins's union leader Albert is repeatedly flustered by the female workers' habit of doing their sewing in their underwear, it starts to feel a bit like Carry On Changing The World.

'Made In Dagenham' is never exactly subtle, but it does show some of the complexities of industrial strife. Rita (Sally Hawkins) is pushed into the position of spokesperson for the underpaid female Ford employees largely by default.

Initially she enjoys being the mouthpiece for long-held grievances, but things soon become tougher when the strike she leads starts to hit her co-workers in their pockets. She also finds that some of the enemies of change are among those who are supposed to be on the workers' side.

It all makes for a highly entertaining drama, and there's a fabulous turn towards the end by Miranda Richardson as Barbara Castle, Secretary of State for Employment in Harold Wilson's Labour Govenment.

Castle is under pressure from Ford and from Wilson to end the strike without making significant concessions to the workers, but it's clear that her heart is with Rita and the sewing machinists. If only it was possible to imagine a minister in the current British government taking a similar stand against unjust corporate bosses today.

An uplifting and enlightening film.