Watch Nine to Five For Free

Purely Joyful Movie!

It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional

The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

Here it is 2017, 37 years after this film was made, and, while seeing a revival this week in a local multiplex was a mostly joyous, hilarious experience (all four leads and the script are terrifically funny, and the film holds up truly well), I was reminded that men like Dabney Coleman's character are very much alive and just as prevalent in modern day--nothing much has changed in the business (or political) world in those 37 years. That part was depressing. But since laughter truly is the best medicine, "9 to 5" is one way to deal with the insanity in a healthy way, and remind viewers that sometimes you have to fight back on the same level of nastiness that the perpetrator puts out! Here the purge of the women's frustration is outlined in some hilariously over-the-top healthy fantasies--marijuana-driven scenes that have Lily Tomlin, Dolly Parton, and Jane Fonda dreaming of how they'd rid their lives of an evil, despicable boss, with none of them seriously thinking they would actually get their revenge in such violent (and very, very funny) ways. However, a case of mistaken-packaging-identity has them thinking they may have actually put their boss' demise in motion. It all plays out in an upbeat and, again, hilarious way, and it made me realize there aren't that many truly funny adult-themed PG-ish rated comedies made these days. I miss 'em! I loved all three women, and their eventual camaraderie is truly energizing and fun to be a part of, and Dabney Coleman makes a great evil boss. I still have some of Dolly's zingers ringing in my head days after viewing, particularly one about how Coleman's character needs to be taken down by some hired rustlers--her combination of innocence and fire is one of the reasons her popularity remains strong 37 years later!

Nine to Five (1980): Dir: Colin Higgins / Cast: Jane Fonda, Dolly Parton, Lily Tomlin, Dabney Coleman, Elizabeth Wilson: Observant and hilarious view of women in a working world dominated by males. It takes place in an office building with recently divorced Jane Fonda arrives for her first day. Lily Tomlin plays a working mother who has seen it all and handles the demands like a pro. Sunny Dolly Parton is so full of life yet she feels bad when ignored by co- workers due too untrue rumors spread by the boss. Through an awkward set of events blackmail plays a factor and they kidnap their boss and create a better working environment. Funny and clever with appealing revenge fantasies played out during an evening of smoking pot. Insightful directing by Colin Higgins who previously made the spy comedy Foul Play. Fonda, Tomlin and Parton are hilarious with Dabney Coleman perfectly cast as the chauvinistic boss. Elizabeth Wilson is amusing as Coleman's nosy assistant who spies the the women. All three women are from different backgrounds, with Fonda dealing with her ex-husband's attempt to mend, Tomlin dealing with bickering children, and Parton sent out to buy scarves for her boss's wife that end up being given to her. Plus an ending where everybody seems to win including the boss who encounters deja vu. Strong statement of woman's rights result in a true comic gem. Score: 10 / 10

What lawyer wouldn't have a field day if Nine to Five happened today?Nine to Five is one of my all-time favorite comedies and as a comedy, with extreme deadpan delivery from Lily Tomlin (Violet) and excellent lines and acting from first-timer-at-the-time Dolly Parton (Doralee,) it still works. Sadly, this is the Stone Age when it comes to office politics and, of course, equipment. This is not to say sexist remarks or promoting males faster than females still doesn't occur, but I cannot imagine, as a whole, it's this blatant.While that's not a flaw, it was what it was 33 years ago, the movie's only flaw that I could concede is that it went on for far too long. It didn't know where to cut or when to end. And still, even with that minor fault, it's still amusing and fun through to the end.I truly loved this movie and it begins solid with one of my all-time favorite movie songs, the same name of the film and sung by the star, Parton. Following that, I loved the fact that the three central characters, Violet, Doralee and Judy (Jane Fonda) weren't exactly friends at first, but become allies when their over-the-top "sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot" of a boss wrongs them. While the movie was already fun at that point – mainly thanks to, again Tomlin and Parton, this is where the sh|t gets real…funny.From merely complaining, to pot smoking their way into incredible laughs (from both them and us) of their fantasies of getting retribution, to almost and inadvertently bringing one of their ideas to life, these ladies get in deep when trying to deal with the soulless boss.While I stated the movie, sadly, is dated for 1980 or that timeframe, it's also unfortunate that the same stereotypical coworkers exist today. Maybe that's reason #38 why I like this movie so much; I can relate as I've worked in offices since March 1996 and have seen all kinds of these characters portrayed here, in the almost equally hilarious Office Space and in pretty much any Dilbert strip.Now, that said, allow me to make sure I am revealing a positive. These secondary and third-tier characters make the movie even better. They're hilarious ("Atta, Girl" said three times almost back-to-back is one of my favorite lines and so true from the office drunk) and realistic (there's ALWAYS an untrustworthy office spy/boss, kiss-up "Roz" character to deal with.) On the front end, there's also always the sarcastic and down beaten "Violet" (which is usually me,) the optimistic "Doralee" and the newbie, "Judy," who ALWAYS will soon learn the hard way. Now, though I've encountered my share of horrible bosses – as well as awesome human managers, I've never worked under the reigns of the terrible "Mr. Hart" (played deliciously by Dabney Coleman,) although I know they exist as do his superiors as portrayed in this film.I didn't work in 1980 – I was at the young age of ___ then, and my mom was still a stay-at-home mother when this was released, but I know these events in the movie happened in real life and I am glad these talented ladies could theatrically fight for women's rights. It might not have seemed like a political film, and perhaps it wasn't meant that way, but I bet this brought to light a lot of the disgusting things that occurred to the female workers of the late 1970s, early 1980s.Oh, and speaking of that era, I've read and been told countless times that "Jane Fonda was the DEVIL for her war-time actions" prior to the movie's creation. While she wasn't my favorite part or character of the movie, she was still enjoyable in her role. I do my very best to stay out of filmmakers/star's politics. If I didn't, I wouldn't have enjoyed so many Tom Cruise films – and believe me, I have more fun in his action/comedy/suspense films than most actors over the past few decades.On a personal note, it truly pains me to hear someone tell me not to watch Fonda's movies, or worse, wish her dead. Without getting into the details of what she did, or even the reasons why, I don't care one bit. "Did she entertain me when I watched this?" is the only question I should be asking myself and the answer was: yes.I digress. This movie is hilarious, real fun, adventurous and it's one I could watch countless times, like I did as a kid. Highly recommended.Side Note: That song, Parton's Nine to Five, isn't just one of my favorite movie tracks, it's one of my all-time favorite songs. And funny story: when I was a kid and I would, indeed, watch this movie over and over, or listen to that song from one of my mother's, ah-hem, record player, repeatedly, I always thought the first few lines read:Tumble out of bed and stumble to the kitchen; Pouring myself a cup of bitchin'…I was shocked, growing up in a swear-free household, at that word! It truly intrigued me. Until, of course, I grew up, got, what we call now: digital music, clear-sounding movies and, obviously, internet, and learned the true word was: "ambition."Eh, I think both fits.

If have ever worked in an office atmosphere,felt undue pressures from your bosses and fantasized about getting revenge,or just want to have some good laughs,Nine to Five is for you.It's just one of those films where all of those people that are entrusted to bring forth a great finished product went above and beyond.It is excellently written,casted,and acted.You would expect seasoned veterans like Dabney Coleman,Lily Tomlin,and Jane Fonda to deliver,which they do,but the biggest surprise was Dolly Parton,in her first film,proving to us that her talents were not limited to her singing.Fortunately,her great singing talents were made part of the mix,and that makes it all the better.