‘Still Working 9 to 5’ (SXSW review)

March 8th was International Women’s Day and there really isn’t a better time to talk about a film that was ahead of its time.

In 1980, the Colin Higgins directed film sneaked onto the scene and buried beneath the clever writing, iconic performances and stellar cast was a message about women in the workplace that still resonates today.

Still Working 9 to 5 peels back the layers of how the original film came to be in a great storytelling style that weaves the activism of Jane Fonda, the iconic feminism of both Lily Tomlin and Dolly Parton, with the stories of women’s fight for equality in the workplace.

Forty two years later we are still faced with substantial inequality in the workplace and despite great strides women are still a long way from reaching true pay equity with me.

The best things in this documentary are the candid interviews with all the major players in the film.

There are even some with the Broadway cast, including the superbly talented Alison Janney. It’s fascinating to hear the perspectives of the women involved. Dabney Coleman, who played the antagonist in the original film also lends his perspective.

The film is technically proficient, if not spectacular. The editing is excellent, with great historical footage of the women’s movement interspersed with interviews of high level activists. The transitions from the interviews, to film clips, to historical footage are masterful and the depth of thought that existed behind the film becomes clear. There’s fantastic music throughout, indicating a substantial budget. The production values are very high, which is exactly what you would expect from a project Jane Fonda helped produce.

There are so many layers to the stories to try and unpack them here would do them a disservice. If you enjoyed 9 to 5, You’ll love the oral history of the making of the film. If you are a woman in business or an ally, you will love the stories of the resistance while you know how much progress there is still to make. If you’re a history buff you will be fascinated by the historical drivers behind it all. This is a documentary that has something for everyone. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

5 out of 5 stars

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Produced and Directed by
Camille Hardman and Gary Lane
Featuring Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Dabney Coleman, Rita Moreno,
Allison Janney, Stephanie J Block, Megan Hilty, Joe Mantello, Marc Kudisch