Apropos of Vanessa's post, the other night I watched 9 to 5 for the first time in several years, and was really struck by how much its depiction of the workplace holds true today (at least before the film sort of goes off the rails halfway through). Sure, in 2007, bosses who are "sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigots" might have to be a little subtler about their views than they were in 1980. But when the Lily Tomlin character gets passed over for a promotion she richly deserves, then essentially gets called a ball-busting bitch for not being happy about it, I thought about that new study showing women face repercussions when they ask for raises.
And that stupid Marie Claire advice column has so many parallels to how the Dolly Parton character is treated in the movie. Rather than stick up for Dolly when she's seriously sexually harassed by her boss, the other women in the office seem to be relieved that someone else is subject to more harassment than they are. They not only keep quiet -- they want nothing to do with her. When Parton finally snaps, she says to her boss, "Look, I put up with all your pinchin' and starin' because I need this job!" I've definitely heard similar sentiments expressed in 2007.
The examples go on and on. Jane Fonda's character is entering the workforce, scared and clueless, after spending most of her adult years as a housewife, only to be divorced for a younger woman. (Gee, that never happens anymore, does it?) Their boss refers to all female employees as "my girls" -- which infuriates Tomlin's character. But I also know a male boss who refers to most of his female employees as "muffin" or "kid." Seriously.
I can't decide what's more amazing: that a movie depicting the rampant harassment and sexism in the workplace was a runaway blockbuster hit, or that the injustices depicted in this movie -- released 27 years ago -- are still very much a part of working life for American women.
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Oi - I was just half way through commenting on the last post and it disappeared!! I might write something on the subject in a bit if you don't put it back up...
ugh! office politics. I've had issues as well. The thing I cant figure out is, what is the proper way to handle the situation?
When your called kid, or young lady, or when your male co-workers make off-coloured remarks?
Everytime I've tried to be assertive I always get the "don't be so touchy it's just a joke" the whole, like whats your problem line. Once I even got complained to HR about having an attitude. bah! It's sad things haven't changed in 27 years. Good post. I think I'm gonna watch that movie tonight!
I watch that movie all the time! I listen to the soundtrack on my way to work. It helps me get through the day.
This is a fantastic movie. I've enjoyed it since I was about 9, and expect that it's strongly influenced my views on workplace feminism. The turnaround at the end is fabulous, and was only 30 years ahead of its time, in terms of integrating work with recreation and child care.
Holy crap I love that movie! And I, like ikkin, used to recite the lyrics to it at my old, disastrous job, to help me get through the day.
You know, its so weird because at my job, I dont get a lot of oral harassment ( such as being called "muffin", are you serious? ). What annoys me, and I was talking about this with another co-worker, is that harrassment where no words are needed, and no physical touching either...its that one when people just stare at you like they gonnan eat you or something. Sometimes in the office I feel very unconfortable when guys look at me, at my breats, at my ass...uugh its so annoying.
I had a much older boss that called everyone "son" and "hon". That said, aside from that, he treated everyone extremely well and was very good about ppl needing time off for medical care, family's illness, pregnancy, etc. Aside from that glitch, he was a great guy to work with.
If I had a boss that called me hon and treated me like crap, I'd go bonkers.
I love that movie!! (eom)
we had a panel at my law school last semester about women and professionalism in the legal world, and one panelist said "you know, I don't know why I am on this panel because I have never experienced any sexism in the workplace and I have been a lawyer for over 20 years." Then another panelist expressed how, even in the late 80's, she was required to wear a skirt to work and definitely to the court. The first panelist looked over at her and said "Oh, well, I guess I remember that. Yeah we weren't allowed to wear pants back then."
That movie also gave me tips on how to be a high-functioning drunk in the workplace in the character in the character of Margaret (played by Peggy Pope).
I have been in some really dreadful workplaces in my past. As a result i feel really grateful to some kick ass women who took me under their wing and gave me really great role models for my professional life as an architect. neither took crap from anybody - and i KNOW they were called bitch - BUT they were a joy to work for & with. No matter how stressed they were or how annoyed they were, they were always kind, supportive and instructive to those they led.
would i be out of line to do a shout out to Michelle M of Albuquerque and Laurie J of Denver? I doubt either reads this blog, but remembering this movie and some nightmare places of employment, thank god for these two! I don't think i've achieved their caliber of assertiveness and over all great leadership yet, but it's a worthy goal to which i aspire!
I was asked a few months ago, "Wouldn't you like to wear makeup to work and be a grown up?"
Asked of me by our 60 year old HR asst Director.
As this is the tip of the iceberg, I am looking for a new job.
9-5, wish this movie had made a real difference.
I love this movie too.
What I find amazing is that they just don't make movies with strong feminist messages like this anymore.
The movie was an early influence on my feminism too. And the title song is just so fucking awesome. I love Dolly.
I wouldn't describe the movie as "going off the rails halfway through". It's a comedy first and foremost so it's naturally going to have some this-could-never-happen-in-real-life elements. Although I read somewhere that initially it wasn't planned to be a comedy; but the writer was talking to a group of secretaries and it came up that they all had fantasies of killing their bosses, and it took off from there!
Ha, I watched this movie for the first time this past winter with two girl friends of mine! I don't think they caught on to the feminist ideals...so i just sent them this link! Hope they can see all the good we are doing, and have done, for them in the workplace and every other woman. Great movie!
I love this movie, and it is amazing how it's held up, for good and bad. The character of Roz is another one that strikes me as still frustratingly resonant after all these years. The one person who truly has Hart's ear is a woman, and all she does is sell out the other women in the office! That "I've got mine (which is still a suck-up, glass ceiling position), fuck you if you haven't made it yet" attitude has made my life hell at different points over the course of my career, and it never ceases to amaze me how much women fail to see how a lack of solidarity hurts us all.
@ Grimwowyn:
There are actually laws governing makeup requirements in the workplace. And if that is truly the "tip of the iceberg," as you say, you should consider actually filing a suit. It may seem like a huge hassle, but nailing your employer for harassment means that you're saving future employees from the same abuse.
That said, I haven't seen this movie in years, but after entering the corporate space it seems more relevant than ever. : (
@ Grimwowyn:
There are actually laws governing makeup requirements in the workplace. And if that is truly the "tip of the iceberg," as you say, you should consider actually filing a suit. It may seem like a huge hassle, but nailing your employer for harassment means that you're saving future employees from the same abuse.
That said, I haven't seen this movie in years, but after entering the corporate space it seems more relevant than ever. : (
Sorry for the double-post!
I really have nothing to add, but I gotta join in with all the others and say how much I absolutely love this movie. Perhaps my little boy crushes on Dolly Parton and Lily Tomlin, and hence my absolute love of this movie, are what made me a feminist?
Looooooooove this movie. And, I agree, it's held up so well. *hearts*
DAS--awwwwwwwww :)
on topic but way off subject:
anyone beside me notice that when jane fonda has dabney coleman tied up upstairs at her house and her ex-hubby is stalking around outside to try to see her, it's daylight downstairs but upstairs w/dabney it's night out thru the windows?
personally, i luv the disney parody when lily fantasizes about poisoning dabney.
and who can deny the glory that is the sterling hayden ex machina ending?
First, this ties with The Coal Miners' Daughter as one of my all time favorite movies. I hope they never remake it. Fun fact: Dolly Parton wrote the song 9 to 5 on her acrylic nails.
Second, I re-watched this recently and was also shocked at how much of this crap still rings true.
Last, I cannot wait for the musical.
There's going to be a musical???? Eeeeeee!!!!!!
Okay, deep breath, calming down. I adore this movie. I always have. I loved, as a girl, seeing strong women who had to put up with crap, but who wouldn't take it lying down. Beautiful.
My idiot ex-husband wouldn't let me watch it if he was home, because he wasn't going to have Jane Fonda on "his" TV. But now that I'm on my own, I think I'll buy the movie. Anyone know if it's on DVD?
i loved this movie when i was a kid. i watched it again a little while ago and found myself thinking, "wow, all those progressive policies the women implemented in their boss's absence, this was really ahead of its time." the sad part is that, now that i think about it, it wasn't ahead of its time at all. we are just THAT behind.
I was watching this movie the other night as well, for the first time. Unfortunately I couldn't watch all of it, but I was also amazed by how so many of the things in this movie still ring true today. I also love how Dolly Parton with all of her stereotypical American beauty can still play (or maybe be?) a feminist.
Hi girls:
Men will always be men. If women are beautiful, sexy, gorgeous, it is logical and natural they will be eating you with their eyes (if there is no way to eat you in a better way!) So there is 2 options: or you stop being sexy, gorgeous, etc. or you accept it. You should take advantage of it! you can handle, manipulate and GOVERN men by using your "attractions" in an intelligent way. The more a man stare at you, the more he is fragile and available for you to do with him whatever you want and need! Put him to work for you, ask him for money, make him do what you hate to do... USE IT!!! and enjoy that you still have enough beauty to create those effects. I promise you it wont be forever!
Hi girls:
Men will always be men. If women are beautiful, sexy, gorgeous, it is logical and natural they will be eating you with their eyes (if there is no way to eat you in a better way!) So there is 2 options: or you stop being sexy, gorgeous, etc. or you accept it. You should take advantage of it! you can handle, manipulate and GOVERN men by using your "attractions" in an intelligent way. The more a man stare at you, the more he is fragile and available for you to do with him whatever you want and need! Put him to work for you, ask him for money, make him do what you hate to do... USE IT!!! and enjoy that you still have enough beauty to create those effects. I promise you it wont be forever!
Er, asper... lysistrata's is not _exactly_ the lesson to learn here.
I do love this movie though. I work at an engineering firm in TX, and it's not that far off, really. The only thing they really missed are the workplace showers with insane amounts of ribbons, food and loot displaying. Office Space got some of that though. I related well to the fax machine hate. My bane is a photocopier. Grrr.