Runtime: 110 minutes
Directed by: Colin Higgins
Starring: Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Dolly Parton, Dabney Coleman (RIP), Elizabeth Wilson
From: 20th Century Fox
RIP Dabney Coleman
As someone who grew up in the 80's and 90's, naturally I saw Coleman in some films. He wasn't always the smarmy jerk boss or other authority figure he often played (look at him in Cloak & Dagger, a childhood favorite of mine that still works for me as an adult) but I never had seen 9 to 5 in full until last night. It was known to me for years that he was the ultimate jerk boss here yet it took him passing away at the age of 92 to finally give this a shot.
After a real banger of a title tune from Dolly Parton, and a pretty great opening credits scene of random working woman on the way to their job, we meet our lead trio of Dolly, Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda. They become friends due to their mutual hatred of their “sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot,” boss, to use the film's own phrasing. Coleman as Mr. Hart exhibited all those qualities as the Vice President of a large corporation where the women are all secretaries. Some absurd situations happen and they attempt to get revenge.
Most importantly for the genre, it's a film I found to be quite funny. It was easy to enjoy the trio, their budding friendship & how they react to some improbable & hysterical moments. As the kids like to say now, I'd like to give flowers to Parton, Tomlin and Fonda for their roles-not to mention, the film was Jane's idea-along with Coleman, who always played a sleazeball with aplomb. Not only do we get at least one scene of the leading ladies at home w/ their families/ex husbands, but in a scene we probably wouldn't get today, they smoke pot, get stoned & fantasize about their revenge on Mr. Hart.
There shouldn't be too many feelings of sadness on my part about Dabney Coleman's passing given that he lived a long life and had a successful career. I am bummed yet I'll always have fond memories of seeing him in movies & on TV as a kid; my sisters watched 9 to 5 in our youths. I should have done the same as this was quite delightful. Again, RIP to Coleman.
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