Made in Dagenham

(Nigel Cole/2010/UK)

Focusing on the unrest of female workers in the Dagenham Ford factory in the 1960’s which resulted in legislative changes to rules for those women and eventually to further unrest in the 80’s that brought in more radical changes for equity between the sexes in the workplace, Made in Dagenham sidesteps any heavy handed political tub thumping through light hearted comedy. By bringing levity into the story of the women the social mores of the time get presented for derision in a gentler way and so the film doesn’t laugh mockingly. It laughs in the knowledge of hindsight that says “Of course these women got upset and demanded change, look at the silliness they had to put up with!” Taking artistic licence to fictionalise multiple personalities into the single character of Rita O’Grady allows Sally Hawkins to flex her acting muscle whilst diluting the authenticity of the story but it’s a tactic that works fine. The film is a recounting of a crucial and interesting event in the history of British labour and it’s done very adeptly and in an engaging, funny way. The attention to detail on costumes and sets is spot on and I loved seeing the old news footage from the actual strikes on the end credits.

(2.5/5)