It's one of those moments when you look at yourself in the mirror and wonder: "What have I done with this life of mine?" As age catches up with us, such reflective moments occur often – whether you are male or female. You also wonder: "What if I had actually fought for what I believed in? How would that have changed my life?"
The above preamble is one thought which stuck in our minds after the end credits of this British film started rolling. And for a female dominated movie which screams "Give Us Gender Equality Or Give Us Death", it is interesting for a male columnist to pen this review.
Based on real life events of the 1968 Ford sewing machinists strike at the Ford Dagenham assembly plant, the story's protagonist is Rita O'Grady, who represented a group of underpaid women and brought them to walk out in protest against sexual discrimination. They demanded for equal pay, and the result brought about the Equal Pay Act 1970 which prohibits any less favourable treatment between men and women in terms of pay and conditions of employment.
Yes, my counterparts of the opposite gender, things were much worse back then. So there's no need to go on, and on, and on about almost every other thing is against you these days.
Directed by Nigel Cole (A Lot Like Love, Calendar Girls), the star here is undoubtedly Sally Hawkins (Never Let Me Go, An Education) who plays the fictional protagonist. The strike leader was an invention of the filmmakers, and represented the hundreds of women who carried out the strikes in 1968. Hawkins gives a convincing and almost inspiring performance as a woman who wanted her voice to be heard. She is complemented by a wonderful British cast including Miranda Richardson (Fred Claus, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire), Geraldine James (Alice in Wonderland, Sherlock Holmes) and Rosamund Pike (Surrogates, Die Another Day). Each woman holds her own weight in this ensemble piece where the men (Bob Hoskins, Daniel Mays) take a backseat to let their counterparts shine.
The 113 minute film is a breeze to sit through, and the easy viewing will please the masses, especially with its positive message of gender equality. There isn't much political undertone in this BAFTA nominated production, and we are guessing it's the filmmakers' intentions to make this as digestible as possible to draw in the crowds. The product is a very agreeable piece with dazzling performances from its cast. Though formulaic, the film still impresses viewers with its costume design and set pieces, which reflect the 1960s' way of life.
What struck this male reviewer isn't the women's fight for equality (this theme has been explored by countless other films), but the possibility of giving up a life which one has always dreamed of, but had no guts to materialising. Watch out for the well acted scene between Hawkins and Pike, where the two engage in a conversation about fighting for what an individual truly believes in. This sequence will have you wanting to go out there to pick up where you left off, and pursuing what your heart tells you.
And we can confidently say, those who succeed are those who will make history – like the women of Dagenham.
The above preamble is one thought which stuck in our minds after the end credits of this British film started rolling. And for a female dominated movie which screams "Give Us Gender Equality Or Give Us Death", it is interesting for a male columnist to pen this review.
Based on real life events of the 1968 Ford sewing machinists strike at the Ford Dagenham assembly plant, the story's protagonist is Rita O'Grady, who represented a group of underpaid women and brought them to walk out in protest against sexual discrimination. They demanded for equal pay, and the result brought about the Equal Pay Act 1970 which prohibits any less favourable treatment between men and women in terms of pay and conditions of employment.
Yes, my counterparts of the opposite gender, things were much worse back then. So there's no need to go on, and on, and on about almost every other thing is against you these days.
Directed by Nigel Cole (A Lot Like Love, Calendar Girls), the star here is undoubtedly Sally Hawkins (Never Let Me Go, An Education) who plays the fictional protagonist. The strike leader was an invention of the filmmakers, and represented the hundreds of women who carried out the strikes in 1968. Hawkins gives a convincing and almost inspiring performance as a woman who wanted her voice to be heard. She is complemented by a wonderful British cast including Miranda Richardson (Fred Claus, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire), Geraldine James (Alice in Wonderland, Sherlock Holmes) and Rosamund Pike (Surrogates, Die Another Day). Each woman holds her own weight in this ensemble piece where the men (Bob Hoskins, Daniel Mays) take a backseat to let their counterparts shine.
The 113 minute film is a breeze to sit through, and the easy viewing will please the masses, especially with its positive message of gender equality. There isn't much political undertone in this BAFTA nominated production, and we are guessing it's the filmmakers' intentions to make this as digestible as possible to draw in the crowds. The product is a very agreeable piece with dazzling performances from its cast. Though formulaic, the film still impresses viewers with its costume design and set pieces, which reflect the 1960s' way of life.
What struck this male reviewer isn't the women's fight for equality (this theme has been explored by countless other films), but the possibility of giving up a life which one has always dreamed of, but had no guts to materialising. Watch out for the well acted scene between Hawkins and Pike, where the two engage in a conversation about fighting for what an individual truly believes in. This sequence will have you wanting to go out there to pick up where you left off, and pursuing what your heart tells you.
And we can confidently say, those who succeed are those who will make history – like the women of Dagenham.
- www.moviexclusive.com