7.2 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
A dramatization of the real-life 1968 strike at the Ford Dagenham car plant in England, where female workers walked out in protest against sexual discrimination
Starring: Sally Hawkins, Bob Hoskins, Miranda Richardson, Geraldine James, Rosamund PikeDrama | Insignificant |
Comedy | Insignificant |
History | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
English, English SDH, Spanish
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
BD-Live
Region A (C untested)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 5.0 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 2.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
This strike is about one thing and one thing only: fairness.
Made in Dagenham is one of those warm and fuzzy kind of movies, one where right triumphs over wrong, good people stand up for what is
right not only for themselves but for humanity at large, and one's enjoyment of the film depends not on any sense of mystery but instead the quality
of the ride on the way to the inevitable happily-ever-after conclusion. Indeed, one look at the premise more or less gives away the ending -- hint: the
striking girls at the Dagenham Ford factory aren't going to get mowed down by a firing squad for treason, they won't be abducted by aliens, and they
sure as heck won't settle for anything
less than what they want -- but for a movie like this, predictability isn't a reason not to watch and the inevitable outcome in no way lessens the film's
value. Movies like this are made for the sense of positive reinforcement they engender, as motivation for viewers to stand up for
what is right in their own lives, and to enjoy a little bit of fictionalized history that's proof-positive that good people can make a good difference in the
world in which they live, even when all the cards -- decades, if not centuries of tradition; naysayers; strained relationships; empty bank accounts;
personal sacrifices; and playing with metaphorical fire -- dictate that forcing an issue, championing basic common sense, and going against the grain is
a bad idea, unless, of course, they win.
On the picket line.
Made in Dagenham may not be the prettiest movie out there, but Sony's Blu-ray release appears to be technically perfect. There's zero evident banding, no blockiness, no distracting edge halos, and the print is meticulously clean. Colors favor an ever-so-slightly faded bronze appearance, resulting in a slight sepia-toned look that seems intended to replicate a period appearance. Still, the various colors, both bright and dull, appear without even a hint of bleeding or other malformations. Fine detail is stable and accurate; whether major things like clothes and skin textures or the subtleties of a well-used blackboard or the size and texture of raindrops rolling off a windshield, the transfer handles everything within its view with the utmost attention to detail. Depth is quite good for a 2D image, and black levels are superb; nighttime shots reveal excellent shadow details. As noted, this might not be the snazziest-looking movie ever made, but this transfer is rock-solid, super-stable, and shows no evidence of even minor problems.
Made in Dagenham's DTS-HD MA 5.1 lossless soundtrack is reflective of the film's somewhat active but oftentimes reserved and talk-heavy sound design. The track features several classic tunes that play with a period-specific mushiness that actually sounds quite good, given the overall boost in clarity and space afforded them by the lossless presentation. Various sound effects -- from something as simple as the moving of a rattling chain wrapped around a padlocked gate or more pronounced and generalized rainfall -- are handled with exceptional clarity and plenty of space when the situation and effect call for it. The surround channels help out the front to bring the factory floor to vivid life; machines in action, chatty girls, and the like spill out from every speaker to truly place the listener in the middle of the action. Various crowd noises at strike scenes, too, do well to plop the listener in with the unhappy ladies. Of course, dialogue is perfectly accurate through the center channel. While this track has a few surprises in store, it's a generally smooth, reserved, and dialogue-intensive listen. Sony's track is superb, handling everything asked of it with ease.
Made in Dagenham isn't overflowing with extras, but fans won't be picketing outside Sony Home Entertainment demanding more, either.
Made in Dagenham no doubt maneuvers its audience to root for one side over the other; it never really digs into the reasons behind the opposition, but that's not what the movie is about. It's not a movie about balance but instead the search for it; equal pay is at the heart of the matter, but what Made in Dagenham is really about is the need to stand up for what is right, no matter the opposition. That's a valuable lesson to be learned and one that can apply to every aspect of life. Ultimately, Made in Dagenham is a basic feel-good movie that's as predicable as anything out there, but those feel-good overtones and important life lessons are what really count. Supported by steady direction and excellent performances, Made in Dagenham is well worth cheering for. Sony's Blu-ray release features a perfect 1080p transfer, a good lossless soundtrack, and several fine extras. Recommended.
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