Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

9 to 5: A Feminist Movie That Made Us Laugh

by
  • Arden is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, specializing in classic hits and contemporary chart-toppers.
  • Prior to joining Country Thang Daily, Arden wrote for Billboard and People magazine, covering country music legends and emerging artists.
  • Arden holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Tennessee, with a minor in Music Studies.

9 to 5  is a light comedy movie with a strong voice of feminism. It stars Dolly Parton, Lily Tomlin, and Jane Fonda. It was directed by Colin Higgins and was produced by Bruce Gilbert. The story was written by Patricia Resnick.

9 to 5, Dolly Parton, Feminist, Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin
Photo lifted from MovieWeb

9 to 5 Plot:

The story unfolds in a busy consolidating office in New York. Where three secretaries: Judy Bernly (Jane Fonda), Violet Newstead ( Lily Tomlin), and Doralee Rhodes (Dolly Parton) wanted to get even with their domineering boss, Mr. Franklin M. Hart Jr. (Dabney Coleman). Their adventure began when their pot-fuelled wishes of revenge came true in an accident that happened when Mr. Hart hit his head in his office. Hart, upon discovery, blackmails Doralee into sleeping with him. This led the girls to kidnap their boss and take over the company.

9 to 5, Dolly Parton, Feminist, Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin
A scene from 9 to 5  taken from beautydart.files

Under his name, they gave life to the office by filling it with shades of yellow, orange, and red. They also gave the disabled an opportunity, offered flexible working hours, a job-sharing program, equal pay, and an onsite daycare center. They also supported their alcoholic colleague Peg to a rehabilitation center.

When Hart returned to the office, he was appalled to see the changes. But it was the timely visit of the company chairman Russell Tinsworthy (Sterling Hayden) that made him take the credit again. The secretaries cheered when Mr. Tinsworthy announced that Mr. Hart will be in charge of a satellite office in Brazil.

9 to 5, Dolly Parton, Feminist, Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin
photo from hollywood.com

Dolly Parton did a really good job of a movie debut. One can hardly believe that this is her first movie. Jane Fonda’s role is weak but it does not speak for her performance because she was able to portray her role effectively. So I’d say that she did a good job as well. The most complex character for me would be that of Violet’s since she had to be funny, but firm at the same time. Well, Dabney Coleman portrayed his character well.

9 to 5 is about employee’s rights, women’s rights, and disability rights. We can see how a patriarchal company was improved with the help of women. There are also notable things in the movie that many companies are now practicing. First is sending an employee for rehabilitation to improve his/her overall outlook. Second is sending an employee for training to improve on her work or as a reward for a good service.

Probably a lesson that we can get from the movie is not to believe in everything that people say about others. This is shown in the first part of the movie when everyone believed that Doralee is a mistress of Mr. Hart.

Everyone would agree that women around the world have a stronger voice now in airing their concerns. But penetrating the glass ceiling is still an ordeal for the modern women. Escaping the grim atmosphere of the issue, one would like to retreat to a feel-good movie that leaves the same message less the serious side. Overall, I would give the movie a 4 out of 5  because of its social relevance and humor. It does deserve the awards that it received over the years. I would definitely watch the movie again!

Watch Dolly Parton sing 9 to 5:

Latest Stories

Split image of Zach Bryan performing live on stage with guitar and John Moreland playing guitar in a studio; reflects their public feud following a canceled collaboration.

Folk Musician John Moreland Says Zach Bryan Was Rude, a D*head, and Not Who You Think

Well, the gloves are off in Oklahoma. What started as a cryptic shot from Americana singer-songwriter John Moreland has now turned into a full-blown fallout with country megastar Zach Bryan, ...

Carrie Underwood appears as a judge on American Idol, amid speculation she may not return next season—not because of backlash, but because she knows she belongs on the stage, not behind the desk.

American Idol Was Renewed but Carrie Underwood Might Not Return for the Right Reasons

Carrie Underwood isn’t the problem with American Idol. In fact, she may have been the best thing that happened to the show this season. But if the rumors are true ...

Garth Brooks' Mississippi lawsuit was dismissed but the California case continues.

Garth Brooks’ Mississippi Lawsuit Is Over, But the California Case Is Just Getting Started

A Mississippi judge has dismissed Garth Brooks’ lawsuit against his former hairdresser as “moot,” ending one chapter of an ongoing legal battle. But don’t let that ruling fool you. The ...

George Strait, seen performing with his signature black cowboy hat and guitar, recently revealed he may only have five years left on the road

George Strait Says He Has “Maybe Five Good Years” Left to Tour and That Sound You Hear Is a Million Hearts Breaking

You never want to imagine a world where George Strait isn’t somewhere on a stage, guitar slung over his shoulder, letting the steel ring through the rafters while the crowd ...

Carrie Underwood speaks passionately as a guest judge on American Idol, wearing a floral purple outfit, while fans react online to her controversial critique.

Carrie Underwood Faces Idol Backlash After Fans Call Her Critique Rude and Unfair

Carrie Underwood knows a thing or two about American Idol pressure, but some viewers think she brought the wrong kind of heat this week. After Sunday and Monday’s Top 5 ...

Vince Gill smiles while playing guitar onstage at the Grand Ole Opry as his granddaughter Everly and daughter Jenny Gill join him, creating a touching three-generation family moment.

Vince Gill’s Granddaughter Everly Steals the Show with Surprise Grand Ole Opry Debut

There’s legacy, and then there’s bloodline. And when you’re Vince Gill’s granddaughter, stepping onto the Grand Ole Opry stage isn’t just a “moment”, it’s a birthright. On Saturday, May 3, ...

George Strait pays tribute to Johnny Rodriguez following the late singer’s passing.

George Strait Honors Late Country Legend Johnny Rodriguez With a Heartfelt Tribute

Country music legend Johnny Rodriguez, one of the genre’s most groundbreaking voices and its first major Mexican American star, died Friday, May 9, in San Antonio at 73. His daughter, ...

John Foster performs Brooks & Dunn’s “Believe” on American Idol as his emotional mom watches from the audience with a supportive sign on Mother’s Day.

John Foster Sings Brooks & Dunn’s “Believe” for His Mom and Brings Her to Tears in the Audience

It takes guts to sing a Brooks & Dunn song on national TV, especially one like “Believe.” But it takes something even heavier to pull it off on Mother’s Day, ...

Chris Stapleton and Keith Urban side by side as fans debate Stapleton's powerful ACM performance of "Blue Ain't Your Color" and whether it outshined the original.

Chris Stapleton Took On Keith Urban’s “Blue Ain’t Your Color” but Who Sang It Better

Keith Urban may have recorded it first, but Chris Stapleton just might’ve claimed it for good. When Stapleton took the stage at the 2025 ACM Awards and delivered a smoldering ...

Maren Morris appears in a recent interview, attempting to clarify her stance on country music after previously signaling a departure from the genre.

Maren Morris Now Claims She Never Said She Was Leaving Country Music

Maren Morris wants you to know she never said she was leaving country music. Apparently, all that talk about burning it down was just a misunderstanding. In a new interview ...

Leave a Comment

For security, use of Google's reCAPTCHA service is required which is subject to the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.