Review of Made in Dagenham (2010) by Angela G — 01 Oct 2010

Entertaining real life story of how a bunch of female machinists at Ford's Dagenham car factory went on strike for equal pay, paving the way for the later pay equality laws. What could have been downbeat and depressing is more of a Calendar Girls/Full Monty affair as Sally Hawkins as the splendidly named Rita O'Grady (no relation) leads the girls in their battle against sexist bosses.

It is sometimes quite shocking to realise how recently sexism of this type was just the accepted thing. Of course there is still a lot of inequality, but this really is quite an inspiring and uplifting tale (hopefully for male audiences too!).

And it's not just the Ford factory bosses that get a bashing. Leftist union comrades, working mens' club boozers, spineless public school civil servants, Rita's husband even finds himself asking her why she isn't grateful he doesn't knock her around in puzzlement before coming to his senses and backing her.

Excellent performances all round from a mainly British cast, with The West Wing's Richard Schiff in an alarming wig, but making a strong impression. I particularly enjoyed Miranda Richardson as Barbara Castle and the ever lovely Rosamund Pike, seemingly doomed to play posh totty her whole career! Still, at least she gets to stick one to her idiotic upper class husband.

Not a perfect film, some of the characterisations are a little broad and British-Movie Clichéd, but I enjoyed the 1960s recreation a lot (think low budget Mad Men!) and Sally Hawkins' central performance holds things together really well, calling the old boys networks on their crap. Good stuff and one up for the O'Gradys!