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Parents' Guide to

Made in Dagenham

By Renee Longstreet, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

Uplifting tale of fight for equal pay; strong language.

Movie R 2010 113 minutes
Made in Dagenham Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 15+

Based on 1 parent review

khan2705
khan2705 Adult
April 2, 2011
age 15+

awsome movie.

Set against the backdrop of the 1960s, MADE IN DAGENHAM is based on a true story about a group of spirited women who joined forces, took a stand for what was right, and in doing so, found their own inner strength. Although far from the Swinging Sixties of Carnaby Street, life for the women of Dagenham, England is tinged with the sounds and sights of the optimistic era, heard on their radios and seen on their TV sets. Rita O'Grady (Sally Hawkins) reflects that upbeat era, along with her friends and co-workers at the city's Ford Motor Factory -- Sandra (Jamie Winstone), Eileen (Nicola Duffett), Brenda (Andrea Riseborough), Monica (Lorraine Stanley) and Connie (Geraldine James) -- who laugh in the face of their poor conditions. Lisa (Rosamund Pike) is a fiercely intelligent Cambridge-educated woman who feels a bit trapped, tending to the home with a husband that suggests she keep her opinions to herself. She may not live in the same world as the other women, but she shares their views. No one thought the revolution would come to Dagenham, until one day, it did. Rita, who primarily sees herself as a wife and mother, is coerced into attending a meeting with shop steward Connie, sympathetic union representative Albert (Bob Hoskins) and Peter Hopkins (Rupert Graves), Ford's Head of Industrial Relations. What she expects to be simply a day out of work, complete with a free lunch, turns into much more when she and her colleagues become outraged by the lack of respect shown in the meeting to the women employees. With humor, common sense and courage Rita and the other women take on their bosses, an increasingly belligerent local community, and finally the government, as their intelligence and unpredictabilit proves to be a match for any of their male opponents. Daring to stand up and push boundaries, the women changed a system that no one wanted to admit was broken. so i saw this last year's well praised British movie today, i wanted to see this movie for my favorite actress Sally Hawkins. i was really surprised by how well this movie turned out to be. very inspiring and touching movie. women empowerment and their fight for what was right and what was their but couldn't get. starring Sally Hawkins, Bob Hoskins, Miranda Richardson, Geraldine James and Rosamund Pike, and many others it is a well acted movie. movie is overall beautifully done, excellent art direction, cinematography and costumes like every British movie it had that classic touch to it. well written, nice story. and amazing performance by Sally Hawkins. i was truly delighted by her performance. Nigel cole did a brilliant job with this movie. it has dramatic and sad scenes too but it is entertaining too with those womens. i really liked this movie. i was hoping for some Oscar nominations back then. Sally was outstanding in it. A superb and thought provoking movie which deserves to be seen and loved. go see it must.

This title has:

Too much swearing
Great messages
Great role models
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

Labeled "unskilled," with poor working conditions and low wages, a stalwart group of women machinists who make upholstery for cars built by the Ford Motor Company take on the corporate hierarchy in this true story about a tenacious fight for fair wages and respect. Rita O'Grady (wonderfully played by Sally Hawkins) is their initially unsophisticated leader, but as Rita's smarts and perseverance evolve, so do the other women and their cause. They face rigid, arrogant executives, changing family responsibilities, and increasing pressure from male co-workers and their community. With the support of the fair-minded manager of the factory (Bob Hoskins), England's Secretary of State (Miranda Richardson), and some other surprising allies, Rita's initial skirmish over "skilled worker status" becomes a legendary fight for "equal pay for equal work," a revolutionary concept in 1968 when the story takes place.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1 ):
Kids say (1 ):

A film about the triumph of the underdog is not original, but done well and with heart, it's always affecting; MADE IN DAGENHAM is one such film. It feels authentic, has wonderful performances, and avoids sentimentality. Sally Hawkins sparkles in her role as "everywoman." The filmmakers have gathered an impressive array of supporting players, paid important attention to the detail of the period, and worked from a script that feels fresh even though the story can't help but be predictable. (Why would they have made this movie if Rita O'Grady and her followers had failed in their endeavor?)

Sad that it has an R rating which might keep many young people from experiencing this entertaining and moving lesson in gender politics.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how times have changed or haven't changed with respect to women earning equal pay for equal work. Find out what statistics show nearly half a century later about male versus female earnings in the United States and Britain?

  • Three very different women were profiled in this film: a woman working in a factory, an educated stay-at-home mom, and a powerful politician. What did the film show that they all had in common? Were these women stereotypes, or did they challenge stereotypes instead?

  • The fim features a lot of drinking and smoking. Does it make a difference to you that the movie is set in a time when smoking was more common? What are the effects of watching smoking and drinking onscreen?

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