Review of film: "MADE IN DAGENHAM" (about women striking for equal pay for equal work)

Review of film:  “MADE IN DAGENHAM”

Times were often very DIFFERENT in 1968.  Life may have been “simpler” in many ways, yet it was also more DIFFICULT in certain situations…

…  The scene for this true-story movie is a town in England called Dagenham, main home plant of that country’s largest auto-builder, FORD.  As reported by union rep Albert Passingham (BOB HOSKINS) to the 187 female employees at the plant (which had many thousands of male workers), the plant bosses had once again delayed consideration of their complaint of having been “RE-GRADED” to being supposedly “UN-skilled labor”…

…  The women were very angry that their complaints about the matter kept being “DELAYED” by the plant’s big-shots:  they did all the work laboring under difficult conditions in sewing the SEATS used in the Ford cars…

…  The women had to construct the seats using NO “templates” for the designs, they considered that to be very definitely “SKILLED” labor, & deeply disliked the re-grading that REDUCED their PAY even more.  Times were hard at taking care of their families with such low pay, & --  as union shop-steward Connie (GERALDINE JAMES) pointed out --, they wanted to go on a short STRIKE to get back their grade-levels & pay…

…  Union rep Monty was actually just a “TOADY” for Ford & what it wanted, &, as Bob points out to Geraldine & her co-worker Rita O’Grady (SALLY HAWKINS), he feels the basic problem is that Ford & other companies didn’t want to come up with EQUAL PAY for women for equal work…

…  During a meeting with the supposed main “union” reps, Geraldine & especially Sally speak up strongly AGAINST allowing the company to continue delaying a “decision” on their demands.  Sally points out how the women are actually doing SKILLED labor work & deserved to be PAID accordingly.  The male reps are horrified at the thought of “defying” the company’s wishes by demanding a prompt decision about their grievances…

…  Initially, Rita’s husband Eddie (DANIEL MAYS) is supportive of her protests.  He’s even impressed at the way she complains to the school attended by their son Graham (ROBBIE KAY), wanting them to dismiss the bullying teacher who keeps CANING the son for minor matters…

…  As the company keeps “stone-walling” against the complaints of the women, Sally & the others become more “MILITANT” in following-thru on their demands & protest strikes…  That causes life to become increasingly difficult for the MEN at the plant, which leads to a lot of family problems for the women & their “better halves” (& “quarters”)…

…  Will the British GOVERNMENT get involved in the protests, as desired by minister Barbara Castle (MIRANDA RICHARDSON)?...  Will they cave-in to the threats made by FORD?...  Will the striking women get ANY of what they want, & if so, what?...

…  It’s an UPLIFTING story of how a small number of people can make a real “DIFFERENCE”, & (after 2008’s “Happy-Go-Lucky”) shows the continuing powerfully-believable work of Sally Hawkins.  Bob Hoskins & the others also are fine in the cast, & I give a rating of 7.75 stars out of 10 for this well-done venture…