made in dagenham

What Are You Like, Rosamund Pike?

I wanted to make a quick post regarding the fantastic English actress, Rosamund Pike. [EDIT: it’s not a quick post at all. I lied.]

I had one idea in my head about who she is, naively based on her characters in Made in Dagenham and The World’s End, but since seeing Gone Girl my image of her has been completely crushed.

Haven’t seen Gone Girl? Read my review here.

It’s like listening to an amazing song and having an idea of who the singer looks like, and what they are like in person. But then you find their photo, then you watch an interview… And then your whole perception of who you think they are is SCREWED.

Lisa - Made in Dagenham film In an interview I watched, Pike talks about how she was so happy to be given the chance to prove she wasn’t a fragile English girl who was “afraid to get her hands dirty.”

Rosamund Pike is clearly willing to push the boundaries in her career. So, good on those directors – like David Fincher – who give actors like her a chance to break out of their mold. That must be difficult to do.

I wonder if actors like Jack Black find a variation of jobs hard to come by. Or perhaps, like Ricky Gervais, they’re not looking for variation.

Gervais says he doesn’t believe actors should feel the pressure to be versatile. Gervais plays the same character in every film and tv show, and he thinks that’s perfectly fine for an actor to do. He reckons actors should do what they’re good at.

What’s Up, Shia LaBeouf?
From the outside, this change in [our perceived] celebrity’s identity seems jarring, as though they are acting out. Which, in LaBeouf’s case at least, perhaps is true..?

Or at least he went about his change of image in a more confronting way than Pike.

He was part of the Disney franchise, and now he’s doing everything he can to detach himself from that brand – getting into all kinds of nonsense, and taking all sorts of controversial jobs.

I wonder if this identity whiplash is common with actors. I can’t find the YouTube video now, but I’ve heard psychologists talk about actors (particularly after Philip Seymour Hoffman and Robin Williams died) being a troubled people who want to escape themselves. As though acting is a way to distance themselves from themselves.

So, maybe changing directions in their career is a chance to show the public that we don’t really know them at all – which of course, we don’t. It must screw with you a bit, having a distinct public image to compete with.

Just thought it was interesting, how easily actors can change our perception of them, as Daniel Radcliffe and Anne Hathaway have.
We do have clear ideas of who these celebrities are, and I think actors are in a prime spot to frequently distort that based on what acting roles they take – intentionally or not.

Now, before this turns into an essay, let’s not forget: they are only human beings pretending to be other people for money!

Sorry, this was originally about Rosamund Pike but I got carried away. Also, I just really wanted a rhyming title… What are you like, Rosamund Pike. Ha.

Jodie.

Top 5: Films Based in the Sixties

Films based in the 1960s I love the 1960s… I feel like my huge amount of posts regarding this era may have given that away.

So! Here are my top five favourite films set in the 1960s. (Presented in no particular order).

American Graffiti (set in 1962)
Look, creep. You want a knuckle sandwich?
Uh, no thanks. I’m waiting for a double Chucky Chuck.

This is a bitchin’ 60s film through the eyes of American teenagers with an ear for rock ‘n’ roll! I mean… This has to be my favourite 60s film. It’s bright like a jukebox with great music highlighted by Wolfman Jack. The cars, the dresses, the language, the people..! I just… Can’t even. When I watch this film, I feel like I’ve got a backstage pass to my favourite band’s show. I get all giddy and nostalgic

Made in Dagenham (set in 1968)
Cope? How will we cope? We’re women. Now, don’t ask such stupid questions.

Documenting the fight for equal pay for men and women in the UK – obviously a major change for this era – focussing on the working class. I like how the filmmakers illustrated the two generations: the older characters who lived through or fought in the war with their 40s, duller dresses. And the younger generation wearing bright sixties dresses and big hair. This divide is illustrated in one short scene: the power cut at the disco (for those of you who have seen it).

The Boat That ROCKED poster The Boat that Rocked (set in 1966)
Remember folks, it ain’t simple bein’ cool, but it’s cool bein’ simple.

From the point of view from the rock stars of the era: pirate radio DJs. It’s about the fight between pirate radio entertainers (and their fans) versus the English government who shut them down. Fantastic soundtrack of course. With every 60s music genre represented by a DJ on board the boat. Certainly a dreamy ideal of what the era was, but the film crushes your dreams at the end.

The Help (set in 1963)
Eighteen people were killed in Jackson that night. Ten white and eight black. I don’t think God has colour in mind when he sets a tornado loose.

The dark side of the sixties in the South. Every time I say “I want to live in the sixties”, the typical response is: “Yeah, but what about the racism?” Now I’m not saying the sixties are perfect, and racism in this time was devastating and unimaginable. The Help certainly puts this side of the sixties into perspective. Every era has its dark side (even the twenty-teens). A fantastic film nonetheless, with an uplifting and inspirational ending.

Good Morning, Vietnam (set in 1965)
Speaking of things controversial, is it true that there is a marijuana problem here in Vietnam?
No, it’s not a problem, everybody has it.

Why have I not written about one of my favourites? Well. I suppose It’s because it’s so dialogue-heavy that it’s more of a radio show – Robin Williams really is the star and his ad-libbed script just takes the cake. A fantastic angle of the devastating Vietnam war, from the point of view of the radio hosts. It’s bound to put a smile on your dial.

Films that didn’t quite make the cut:

Catch Me if You Can (set in 1963)
Two little mice fell in a bucket of cream. The first mouse quickly gave up and drowned. The second mouse, wouldn’t quit. He struggled so hard that eventually he churned that cream into butter and crawled out.

Sadly, I haven’t reviewed this one yet. But I think it’s so inspiring. A young man (Leonardo Dicaprio) ran away from home and used his charm to fake being a pilot, doctor and lawyer. After being caught years later, he was hired by the FBI to help them catch cheque forgers. I love this true story because it shows how much freedom they had. (Unlike today where everyone is watched and documented). It didn’t make the top five because my love for Good Morning, Vietnam got the best of me.

Forrest Gump (set in 1960s)
Why are you so good to me?
You’re my girl!

Of course, not all of this movie is set in the 60s, but there is a large chunk of the hippie movement portrayed. A theme also shared in Made in Dagenham, is that it was just a time of complete change and challenging authorities. This didn’t get to the top 5 because, let’s be honest, haven’t we heard enough about this epic?

Walk the Line (set in 50s – 60s)
Hi, I’m Johnny Cash

I was going to put this film in the mix too, but I relealised all the best scenes were set in the fifties, and only the ending is in the sixties. But I would like to acknowedge it as being friggin’ awesome, with fantastic actors portraying the kings (and queen) of rock ‘n’ roll.

Take five! Take that!
Jodie.

Directed: Nigel Cole
Written: William Ivory
Released: October 2010
Featuring: Sally Hawkins, Rosamund Pike, Miranda Richardson, Bob Hoskins, Geraldine James
—

This movie is based in the late sixties during a time when women were treated unequally in the work place. They were degraded and given less pay than the men, simply because they are women.

The leader of the movement Rita O’Grady, played by Sally Hawkins, a worker in a Ford factory in Dagenham, organises the rallies. Based on a true story, these women made history in their success in getting equality in the workplace – even meeting Barbara Castle (Miranda Richardson)!

Rita carries the guilt of others’ personal issues such as dealing with the after effects of war on her friends as well as keeping everybody united in the struggle against the workplace. This adds another very human dimension to the film.

Rights not privileges, it’s really that simple.

My favourite character is by far Lisa, played by Rosamund Pike. She is beautifully elegant, and posesses a fantastically strong sense of right and wrong. Her opinion is generally unwelcome, but I just adore everybody’s faces when she speaks out A look of utter shock. She is strong, intelligent and an amazing woman.

I’m Lisa Burnett, I’m 31 years old and I have a first class honours degree from one of the finest universities in the world, and my husband treats me like I’m a fool…

It’s based in the sixties, so naturally the music and fashion is absolutely to die for! The dresses, the hair, the dancing *gasp* …so amazing.

This is a movie that will inspire and move you. It is entertaining and funny with an amazing cast! This is not a preachy feminist film either. This is based on true circumstances adding so much integrity to the script.

The front cover of the DVD and poster is very inaccurate. It looks like it is a happy-go-lucky rom-com. It is far from it. It is a drama based on humanity and personal triumphs.

An incredible journey by heroines based in a time of total change.

Jodie’s rating: 8/10