9 to 5, 1980, PG, 1 hr 50 min

9 to 5

Runtime: 110 minutes

Studio: 20th Century Fox

Country of Origin: United States

Franchise: Standalone

Franchise Position: N/A

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

Ratings:

My Rating: ~7.0/10

The Dove Foundation: N/A

IMDb: 6.9/10

Rotten Tomatoes: 70% (Critics), 70% (Audience)

Metacritic: 58/100

TMDb: 6.9/10

Plot Summary:

In this workplace comedy, Judy Bernly (Jane Fonda), a recently divorced woman, starts a new job as a secretary at Consolidated Companies. She befriends her colleagues, Violet Newstead (Lily Tomlin) and Doralee Rhodes (Dolly Parton), who share frustrations with their chauvinistic boss, Franklin Hart Jr. (Dabney Coleman). After a series of misadventures, the trio inadvertently kidnaps Hart and takes over his office, implementing their own changes to improve the workplace environment. Their actions lead to unexpected consequences, but ultimately, they find empowerment and camaraderie in their shared experiences.

Critics Review:

Critics generally found 9 to 5 to be an entertaining and timely comedy that effectively blended humor with social commentary. Roger Ebert gave the film three stars out of four, praising its pleasant entertainment value despite its uneven qualities and a plot that was almost too preposterous for the material. Vincent Canby of The New York Times described it as a movie that began as someone's bright idea but lacked a well-defined personality. Gene Siskel of the Chicago Tribune noted that while Dolly Parton's performance was a pleasant surprise, the film's lack of bite was a disappointment. Variety stated that despite occasional lapses into the inane, the picture was a lot of fun. Kevin Thomas of the Los Angeles Times wrote that the film was an audience pleaser that never missed an intended laugh, though it strayed far from reality at times. Gary Arnold of The Washington Post found the film's execution weak but acknowledged Parton's likability. David Ansen of Newsweek called it a disappointment, feeling it was neither wild enough to be a truly disturbing farce nor silly enough to succeed as realistic satire.

Christian Perspective:

From a Christian perspective, 9 to 5 offers themes of empowerment, friendship, and standing up against injustice. The film portrays the importance of integrity and teamwork in the face of adversity. However, it also includes elements of workplace tension and moral ambiguity, which may prompt discussions about ethical behavior and the complexities of professional relationships.

Family Friendliness:

Recommended for families with older children and teenagers. The PG rating suggests mild language and themes such as workplace dynamics and personal relationships. Parents should be aware of some suggestive content and mild language.

Notable Songs:

"9 to 5" by Dolly Parton