Nine to Five (1980)

Director:

Colin Higgins

Writers:

Patricia Resnick (story)
Colin Higgins (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

19 December 1980 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

Getting even is a full-time job.

Plot:

Three female employees of a "sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot" find a way to turn the tables on him.

Plot Keywords:

Women | Beautiful Woman | Buxom | Revenge Against Boss | Coffee

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 1 win & 5 nominations

Cast

Jane Fonda	...	Judy Bernly
Lily Tomlin	...	Violet Newstead
Dolly Parton	...	Doralee Rhodes
Dabney Coleman	...	Franklin M. Hart Jr.
Sterling Hayden	...	Russell Tinsworthy
Elizabeth Wilson	...	Roz Keith
Henry Jones	...	Mr. Hinkle
Lawrence Pressman	...	Dick Bernly
Marian Mercer	...	Missy Hart
Ren Woods	...	Barbara
Norma Donaldson	...	Betty
Roxanna Bonilla-Giannini	...	Maria Delgado
Peggy Pope	...	Margaret Foster
Richard Stahl	...	Meade
Ray Vitte	...	Eddie Smith

Also Known As:

9 to 5

Runtime:

110 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | French

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo

Certification:

UK:AA (original rating) | Iceland:L | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Australia:PG | Finland:K-12 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | USA:PG | West Germany:12

Filming Locations:

10431 Bellagio Rd, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

IPC Films

Trivia:

The office building exteriors were filmed at the Pacific Financial Center on West 6th street, Los Angeles.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Judy is in the Xerox room, the rear part of the machine begins filling in more copies. They are one color in one shot but then as they start flying out, they are a mixed up with several colors.

Quotes:

Roz Keith: Here, Violet, you can put this up on the bulletin board.
Violet: Thanks, Roz, I know just where to *stick* it.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Biography: Dolly Parton" (2006)

Soundtrack:

Nine To Five

The theme song is more memorable and legendary than the movie itself.

This is a fairly amusing comedy that has some good strong female characters in it and also makes a good social statement. However as a comedy it falls flat at times, since it heavily relies on just the three main characters, played by Lily Tomlin, Dolly Parton and Jane Fonda.

The movie begins good and sort of satirical, about the male domination at the office. The boss of the office floor is portrayed as a 'sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot'. It's of course overdone but the movie makes a good statement. Therefor the movie works well as a social satire about the male supremacy- and the office work in general. The women are portrayed as strong individual personalities. However as the movie progresses the story becomes more and more silly and unlikely. The movie therefor then looses some of its power.

The three main characters are good and strong, mainly because they are being played by excellent actresses, that seem to know how to handle the comedy genre. The movie however very much relies on this three main characters with as a result that the movie looses its focus on the story at times. The story at times becomes muddled in and the filmmakers seemed to prefer to show the three women their antics instead. Some of the moments are funny but at the same time also far fetched, which makes this movie a rather simple comedy. Sure, it's good fun to watch but it also makes this movie quite a forgettable one. It's just not a movie that I want to re-watch again, any time soon.

Even though this is an 1980 movie, it still has a typical '70's feeling all over it, which means that it's also quite outdated to watch this days. Even though the male supremacy in the business life is still a relevant and much alive subject of course, even now, more than 25 years later.

Amusing relevant comedy but it doesn't leave a lasting impression, due to its flawed focus and storytelling.

6/10