What can 9 to 5 Teach Us?
From Battleship Potemkin to The Pursuit of Happyness, the labor film is a genre that continues to resonate deeply with audiences. Conceived by Jane Fonda after interacting with a group of women office workers, 9 to 5 captures the oppression and rage that women in the workplace feel. The 1980 film features Dolly Parton in her first film performance as Doralee, Jane Fonda as the jumpy new employee, Judy, and Lily Tomlin as the cynical and sharp long-time employee, Violet. Their boss, Mr. Hart, becomes the object of hatred for the crew after his consistent belittling, harassment, and malice reaches a peak. In an alcohol-fueled smoke session, the three women giggle over how they would “get” the boss if they had the chance, all of which play in the film like scenes from Looney Tunes.
The next day, after a scare where they believe they have accidentally murdered him, the three amigas kidnap Mr. Hart and take over the office. In Hart’s absence, the office turns from a dreary deskscape to a vibrant, liveable ecosystem. Along with this, the crew implements flexible work hours, equal pay initiatives, and in-office childcare among other items. These acts cause Hart’s branch of Consolidated Companies to raise productivity by 20%, for which Mr. Hart receives the praise..
9 to 5 is a battleground. The film points the weight of Hollywood’s dreams towards smashing the patriarchy. In its addressing of sexism, 9 to 5 serves as a #MeToo of its time, using mass media to shine light on sexual harassment and inequality in the workplace. When the grabbing of a receptionist and clear favoring of male colleagues are given the glare of celluloid, masses are forced to grapple with these issues outside of their comfort zones. More than anything, 9 to 5 identifies the power of a unified people and how oppression is perpetuated by selfishness. The women, initially pitted against one another, only find the power to make change once they feel their voices heard.
More than forty years later, the film still echoes its cry into our lives. The wage gap still presses still against a broken nation and jobs deemed essential are unfairly paid. Minimum wage debates rage and millions live paycheck to paycheck. The programs that Violet, Judy, and Doralee implemented are still uncommon despite their benefits, another sign that men like Mr. Hart are still running the country. While painful movements such as MeToo and technological advancements have allowed for more voices to be heard, a workplace that is suited for the employee is still far away, especially in blue-collar fields. As Mrs. Parton sang, “It's a rich man's game no matter what they call it/ And you spend your life putting money in his wallet.”
Despite working at Consolidated Companies for many years, Violet finds herself stuck in a low position. She consistently trains new men at the company, one of which was her boss, the antagonistic Mr. Hart. When someone five years her junior gets a promotion, Mr. Hart gives Violet a reason, that “he has a family.” Infuriated, she replies, “and I don’t?!” This unjust logic is not something that can be fixed passively. Reforming a system based on prejudice requires a complete reworking, as these women have done.
9 to 5 is not a perfect film. It bathes in it’s era’s decorum and has become hazy because of it. Its characters and plot points are those of slapstick comedy, yet again throwing its message towards the fire, something inevitable to come from Hollywood. Fonda and friends had to give these ideas of liberation and a radically different workplace in bite size portions to a twentieth century audience. Knowing this, the film should be recognized as a catalyst of change, if not a calling card of times past.
At the end of the film, a corporate bigshot, played by the unidentifiable Sterling Hayden, comes into the office to congratulate Mr. Hart on his changes and improvement in office productivity. Mr. Hart soaks up all the credit cheekily, agrees that equal pay initiatives should be removed from the programs, and gets booted down to Brazil for a reason that only makes sense in movies. This leaves our three Wonder Women in charge of the office. Judy looks satisfied with the three, saying, “We’ve come this far, haven’t we?” Violet replies with her iconic determination, declaring, “This is only the beginning!” Staying in tune with its predecessors, 9 to 5 teaches us to always strive for better, and fight for what is right.
Written by: Rory Donohue
Art by: Mikael Byrd | Instagram
