Made in Dagenham

Sally Hawkins leads a fun cast in a film based on the true story of the 1968 strike by female workers at the Ford Dagenham car plant—a walkout that led to sweeping changes around the world. Hawkins plays Rita, one of many women working in the British plant’s upholstery unit. As employees become more and more disgusted with their wages, and the word “strike” gets bandied about, Rita is picked as their representative to the executives … which means trouble for the executives. The women want pay equal to that of the men, an alien concept in the late ’60s. Hawkins is one of the more likable actresses working today, and the supporting cast (including Bob Hoskins and Miranda Richardson) is full of strong performers. Daniel Mays is especially good as Rita’s confused husband.