‘Still Working 9 To 5’ Review – Enjoyable Documentary Highlights Vital Issues

Directed By: Camille Hardman, Gary Lane

Starring: Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Dolly Parton, Dabney Coleman, Rita Moreno

Plot Summary: “Still Working 9 to 5” reunites stars Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin and Dabney Coleman from the original “9 to 5” film, as well as Rita Moreno from the “9 to 5” TV series, Allison Janney from the Broadway musical, and other stars from the television and stage versions of the classic film. Also featured are activists and individuals closely associated with the women’s movement, both now and then. The documentary explores the comedic tone of the film and how it resonated with a wide audience at a time when the feminist message was being rejected and/or feared by a large swathe of the population. It further follows how the success of the film spawned various “9 to 5” spin-offs, including a TV series (1980s) and musicals (2009 & 2019), discussing the same issues addressed in the film (and its spin-offs) and questions if the message retains its original poignancy, as well as examining what has and has not changed for women in the workplace over the last 40 years.

To say that the film 9 to 5 split the opinions of critics is an understatement. Indeed, film critics at the time, and even modern reflections on the film are split. However you might feel about the film itself, you cannot deny the movie was both ahead of its time and a big moneymaker at the box office. It’s hard to imagine these days, but a movie not based on comics, a novel, or any other previous IP and made on a modest budget could pull in the kind of money 9 to 5 did.

On a $10 million budget, the movie pulled in over $100 million, which adjusted to today’s figures would be roughly $400 million. This is important to note because the interest the public had, despite mixed reviews, certainly had to make an impact on the culture at large. Genre cinema has always been great at exploring salient issues in a way that never feels like it dilutes its message, yet never hits you over the head with it either. Over four decades later, directors Camille Hardman and Gary Lane gather the insanely talented people behind this iconic film for an eye-opening documentary.

The major magic in Still Working 9 to 5 is of course getting Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin and Dolly Parton back to give new interviews. What we get is very candid and always engaging fresh perspectives on not only the making of the film, but on the political and social climate at the time. Parton talking about being nervous about working with Fonda after the backlash at some of her protests, Lily almost quitting multiple times and the disastrous television spinoff are just a taste of tea spilled in this film. At the same time, the film is almost equally about the women’s liberation movement and, more specifically, the introduction of the Equal Rights Amendment. To make a very long story short, the ERA was a proposed Constitutional amendment that would give better and more significant protections for women, especially in terms of equal pay. The fight was heated on both sides of the argument. If this interests you, we suggest the series Mrs. America which documents this time excellently.

Much like the movie itself, you come for the entertaining stories about the making of 9 to 5, but you stay for the interesting and highly vital history and struggles of women activists. This isn’t random, and it all ties neatly into the movie and its impact. In fact, the protest movement entitled 9 to 5 was inspired and even lightly involved with the film. And, that’s the thing: you cannot piecemeal the film 9 to 5 released in 1980 with the struggles and hard work for generations of women. It only seems fitting that their stories are expertly folded into this film. After all, the directors assume if you enjoy a female-lead movie about overthrowing their male oppressors, you will most likely want to hear about the boots-on-the-ground activism that inspired and was driven by the film. Thankfully, no cast or crew members credits the film with sparking the movement, but you certainly can say the movie helped bring attention to these vital issues.

Still Working 9 to 5 is entertaining, yet spotlights the fight that needs to continue for women’s equality.

Still Working 9 to 5 is currently on the festival circuit and is seeking distribution. You can follow the journey of the movie on their website.