9 to 5 (1980)

Overview

9 to 5 is a landmark feminist workplace comedy that remains surprisingly relevant more than four decades after its release. Directed by Colin Higgins and starring Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, and Dolly Parton (in her first film role), the movie is a sharp, funny, and ultimately empowering satire of corporate America, gender inequality, and female solidarity. Released at the dawn of the Reagan era and just a few years after the second-wave feminist movement gained national traction, the film captures the frustrations of working women with biting humour and radical undercurrents.

Plot Summary

Set in a Los Angeles office building, the story follows three women:

Judy Bernly (Jane Fonda) – a newly-divorced woman who is entering the workforce for the first time.

Violet Newstead (Lily Tomlin) – a no-nonsense office manager who’s been passed over for promotions despite her obvious qualifications.

Doralee Rhodes (Dolly Parton) – a secretary wrongly assumed to be sleeping with her boss due to her beauty and Southern charm.

All three work under the insufferable Franklin Hart Jr. (Dabney Coleman), a “sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot.” After a series of indignities, misunderstandings, and one wild night of fantasizing about how to get revenge, the women accidentally kidnap Hart and seize control of the office. What follows is both comedic and poignant, as they implement progressive workplace reforms that drastically improve morale and productivity—until the old patriarchal order inevitably tries to reassert itself.

Themes and Social Commentary

Feminism and Workplace Inequality

At its core, 9 to 5 is a satire rooted in real grievances about the marginalization of women in the workplace. The film pulls no punches in depicting the everyday sexism women faced: wage gaps, lack of promotion, sexual harassment, and the assumption that women exist to support (and serve) men. Yet, it addresses these issues through a comedic lens that disarms while educating.

The genius of the film is that it never becomes preachy. Instead, it uses exaggerated scenarios—such as tying up the boss with a garage-door opener or accidentally poisoning his coffee—to underscore the absurdity of the status quo. And in doing so, it imagines what a workplace led by women might look like: one with flexible hours, child care, job sharing, and equal pay—policies that were revolutionary at the time and still feel progressive today.

Female Solidarity

The dynamic between Fonda, Tomlin, and Parton is the film’s emotional core. Though their characters start from different social and economic backgrounds, their growing friendship and collective action offer a blueprint for feminist solidarity. Their camaraderie feels authentic, and each character arc contributes to a broader message: that change is possible when women band together.

Performances

Jane Fonda plays against her activist image with a timid, endearing awkwardness that blossoms into self-assurance. Her transformation is quietly satisfying.

Lily Tomlin steals many scenes with her dry wit and exasperated expressions. She provides the film’s intellectual backbone and is often the one to articulate its core message.

Dolly Parton, in her first film role, is a revelation. She brings warmth, charisma, and impeccable comic timing, particularly in scenes that confront the inappropriate attention her character receives.

Dabney Coleman is perfect as the sleazy Hart, managing to be both loathsome and buffoonish—a necessary balance for a villain in a comedy.

Direction and Style

Colin Higgins, who co-wrote and directed the film, deftly balances fantasy sequences and farce with grounded social critique. The pacing is brisk, the comedic beats are well-executed, and the fantasy vignettes—where each woman imagines dispatching their boss in cartoonishly violent ways—are inspired and hilarious.

The visual style is straightforward, rooted in late-70s/early-80s realism, which only serves to heighten the absurdity of the situations. The contrast between the dull beige office environment and the colourful chaos that ensues mirrors the women's transformation from suppressed employees to agents of change.

Cultural Impact and Legacy

9 to 5 was a box office smash and became one of the highest-grossing films of 1980. Its theme song, performed by Dolly Parton, became an anthem for working women and earned an Academy Award nomination. More importantly, the film sparked discussions around workplace reform and inspired a short-lived TV series, a stage musical, and a sequel that remains in development limbo.

The movie’s continued relevance in the #MeToo era speaks volumes about how much (and how little) has changed. Its ideas about workplace equality and gender dynamics are still being fought for, making 9 to 5 not only a nostalgic classic but a film that still feels necessary.

Criticisms

While largely progressive, 9 to 5 isn’t without flaws. Some may find the tone too farcical at times, undercutting the seriousness of the issues it raises. The resolution, while satisfying in a fantasy sense, is less about systemic change and more about a personal victory. Additionally, the film’s focus is largely on white, middle-class women, leaving out intersections of race and class that are crucial to workplace equity discussions.

Conclusion

9 to 5 is a wildly entertaining and deeply satisfying comedy that delivers its feminist message with wit, heart, and subversive charm. Its legacy as a pioneering film in the depiction of women’s struggles in the workplace is well-earned, and its messages still ring true today. Featuring iconic performances and a near-perfect balance of satire and sincerity, it remains one of the most influential workplace comedies ever made.