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9 to 5: Sexist, Egotistical, Lying, Hypocritical Bigot Edition
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Official Synopsis:
In this witty, satirical farce, secretaries Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda and office manager Lily Tomlin live every female worker's dream after discovering they share the same resentment towards their egotistical, sexist boss (Dabney Coleman). When they get an unexpected chance to take revenge, they turn their male controlled workplace into a modle office - even as their scheme spins wildly out of control.
Our Take:
Before The Office became an international hit, and before Office Space became a cult classic, three women put their stamp on office dynamics. And really, anyone who has their own Franlkin Hart or Bill Lumbergh can appreciate this kind of film. Whether you work in an office, at a fast food restaurant, or have to answer to a superior in any capacity, you can relate to 9 to 5. Who doesn't fantasize about what they’d like to do to get even with the people they dislike at work? 9 to 5 takes this to the extreme, and the laughs keep on rolling in.
Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda and Dolly Parton all turn in great performances, as does Dabney Coleman, who completely makes this film. As good as the ladies are, it’s his performances and the reactions to them that complete the film's dynamics, and the various scenarios the ladies imagine for his sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot character are fantastic. As bad as you might think Bill Lumbergh is, Franklin M. Hart Jr. is even worse. Of course, the bigger they are, the harder they fall!
As for the DVD, it’s all in the name. First, DVD's were labeled as Special Editions; then it became Deluxe Edition; add to that Director’s Cut and Unrated Editions. Now we’ve moved to Animal House’s Double Secret Probation Edition, the Wedding Crashers Uncorked Edition and the Napoleon Dynamite: Like, Best Special Edition Ever. But 9 to 5 takes them all with the Sexist, Egotistical, Lying, Hypocritical Bigot edition. While infortunately, the latest trend is to put more thought into the moniker than what actually ends up on the disc, this is not the case with the 9 to 5 SELHB edition. Included is a bevy of special features to keep anyone busy working 9 to 5 watching everything included!
* Feature Commentary – Features producer Bruce Gilbert and actors Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin and Dolly Parton. This is how commentaries should be, with all of the leading actors from the film sharing their thoughts and stories. It’s great to hear all three leading ladies back together again, and they’re having a wonderful time while they’re at it. Unfortunately, they’re having SUCH a good time; they spend more time laughing at the movie than they do talking about it. Fortunately, Bruce Gilbert keeps things on track when he’s not joining in with the laughter.
* Featurette – Nine @ 25 (25 minutes) - A great addition to this DVD, featuring brand new interviews from all three leading ladies, as well as the sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot himself, Dabney Coleman, as well as other cast and crew. This feature is well put together and keeps you interested from beginning to end. A must watch.
* Deleted Scenes (12 minutes) - Various cuts and outtakes from the film. While usually with deleted scenes it's pretty obvious why they were thrown on the cutting room floor, these are still entertaining, and worth a peek.
* Remembering Colin Higgins (5 minutes) - A nice tribute to director Colin Higgins (Harold & Maude, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas) whose vision helped make 9 to 5 the classic that it is.
* Gag reel (5 minutes) - Clips and outtakes of cut footage. Pretty funny, especially the scenes where the ladies are smoking, “Marijuana Cigarettes.”
* 9 to 5 Karaoke (3 minutes) - For any Dolly Parton fans or American Idol wannabes, you can practice on the catchy title song.
9 to 5 remains one of the defining comedies of its time, dealing with important issues such as sexism and sexual harassment, but managing to make it empowering for women while still funny. You’ll enjoy watching this whether it’s for the first time, the fifth time, or the ninth time!
Overall Picture:
Movie: B+
DVD: A
- Chris Lawrence
Staff Writer
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