In 1968 Dagenham, young wife and mother Rita O'Grady (Sally Hawkins) works with 186 other women as machinists for Ford UK, sewing car seat covers - for a wage well below male rates of pay. When union organizer Albert Passingham (Bob Hoskins) encourages them to demand better wages to recognize their skills, the women agree to take industrial action. Rita's down to earth approach attracts Albert, who encourages her to take part in further negotiations - not just for higher pay but for full equal pay with men. Previously apolitical, Rita launches into the fray with enthusiasm, leaving her factory worker husband Eddie (Daniel Mays) to look after their children and the chores. The strike that ensues threatens to break up relationships and not all the male-dominated unions are supportive. But the Minister for Employment, Barbara Castle (Miranda Richardson) is, as is Lisa (Rosamund Pike), the wife of senior Ford executive Peter Hopkins (Rupert Graves).
Director:
Nigel Cole
Year:
2010
Country:
UK
Cast:
Sally Hawkins, Bob Hoskins, Andrea Riseborough
Classification:
M
Certification:
L