In 1968, female workers at the Ford Dagenham car plant walked out in protest against sexual descrimination and demanded equal pay...
Margaret: 
David: 
Made in Dagenham
Rated M
Review by Margaret Pomeranz
An historic event took place in England in 1968 and the film MADE IN DAGENHAM tells its story. It all began in the Ford motor plant in Dagenham where women workers, originally disgruntled about a new pay scheme that classed them as unskilled, finally took umbrage at the fact that they were paid far less than their male counterparts for doing the same work.
Unwillingly thrown into the spotlight was Rita O'Grady - SALLY HAWKINS - under the mentorship of the union rep Albert Passingham - BOB HOSKINS.
When the women went on strike nothing was easy. Family finances became strained and some of the men resented them. The Labour Government became embroiled with First Secretary of State, the redoubtable Barbara Castle - MIRANDA RICHARDSON - telling it how it is.
Miranda Richardson is absolutely delicious as Barbara Castle. The film makes for a rousing experience. There are a lot of little stories here, about the educated wife of one of the Ford bosses who supports the women - she's played by ROSAMUND PIKE, and a woman dealing with her very ill husband - GERALDINE JAMES.
The perfidy of the union bosses is on display as is the arrogance of the Ford executives. It's interesting to note that the film was made with the co-operation of the Ford Motor Company. A lot of your response to the film will depend on your attitude to Sally Hawkins as a performer, she irritated many people in HAPPY-GO-LUCKY, but I liked her in that I think she's terrific in this. It's funny and moving and exhilarating.
Further comments
MARGARET: David?
DAVID: And it's not going to offend anybody or push too hard, I think. I think what's interesting about this film is that it is an amazing basically true story, but the characters have been changed for the film. There is no - the Sally Hawkins character had no direct equivalent in real life, and so this is directed by Nigel Cole, who made CALENDAR GIRLS and if you saw that you know pretty much what to expect for this. It's pleasant, it's amusing, occasionally a bit insightful, but it's not going to really go hit very hard, I think.
MARGARET: What do you mean? I don't know what you mean.
DAVID: Well, I mean that it's a sort of safe entertainment. It's like other English films in relatively recent times that have dealt with a strong social issue but have coated the pill with some sort of gentle humour.
MARGARET: Well, I'm sorry but the union bosses getting into bed with the executives of these companies, because of the free food and all the rest of it. That is all part of the grit of this film and, not only that, I think women these days don't know how many women in the past fought for what a lot of they take for granted these days, and it's really nice being reminded that there were gutsy women out there.
DAVID: I totally agree. That's why I wish the film was a bit tougher. I think it's a story that needs to be told. it was a great story at the time and it's a great story to be told now.
MARGARET: Well, it was a period in the world of great unrest everywhere, among students, and...
DAVID: 1968 was quite a year.
MARGARET: ...Vietnam War was raging.
DAVID: But, see, I just don't think this film - I think it's trying too hard to be entertaining. I guess that's what I'm trying to say. I think...
MARGARET: That's such a crime, David, isn't it, to be entertaining as a movie?
DAVID: No, it's not a - but I would rather see this particular story handled with a bit more grit.
MARGARET: Well, I liked it.
DAVID: I liked it too.
MARGARET: I liked it really a lot and I'm giving it four stars.
DAVID: I'm giving it three and a half.
