Watch Strike!

Strike! is a coming-of-age comedy-drama movie set in a small Massachusetts town in 1963. Written and directed by Sarah Kernochan, the movie revolves around a group of girls who work at a local textile mill during their summer break. The movie explores their experiences in the factory, their personal lives, and their fight for better working conditions and fair pay.

The movie stars Kirsten Dunst as the lead character, Verena von Stefan, a privileged and idealistic young woman who takes up a job at the mill to escape her predictable life. Verena quickly befriends the other girls at the factory and becomes their leader and spokesperson. Gaby Hoffmann plays Lulu, a rebellious and outspoken teenager who dreams of becoming a singer. Lynn Redgrave plays Miss McVane, a tough and no-nonsense supervisor at the mill who initially opposes the girls' demands but eventually helps them in their cause. Rachael Leigh Cook plays Kat, a shy and introverted girl who finds her voice through her involvement in the strike. Thomas Guiry plays Joe, a young man who works at the mill and falls in love with Verena.

As the summer progresses, the girls realize the harsh realities of working in a textile mill - the long hours, the low pay, and the dangerous working conditions. They also discover that they are paid significantly less than their male counterparts for doing the same work. When their demand for equal pay is met with hostility and violence from the management and the male workers, the girls decide to go on strike. The strike leads to a clash between the girls, the management, and the community, as they all struggle to come to terms with the girls' demands and the changing social and political norms of the time.

Throughout the movie, Strike! explores themes of gender equality, class, racism, and the struggle for workers' rights. The movie presents a nuanced portrayal of the different characters and their perspectives. Verena, the privileged outsider, initially has a misguided and romanticized view of the working class but gradually learns to empathize with the girls and their struggle. Lulu, the rebellious teenager, has a strained relationship with her mother, who works as a barmaid, and dreams of a better life. Miss McVane, the tough supervisor, has her own struggles with conformity, gender roles, and sexuality. Kat, the introverted girl, finds her voice and her identity through the strike.

The movie is visually stunning, with its period costumes, sets, and music. The scenes at the mill are particularly impressive, with their intricate machinery and the synchronized movements of the workers. The movie also pays homage to the music and culture of the time. The soundtrack features popular songs of the 1960s, including The Shirelles' "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow," The Chiffons' "He's So Fine," and The Byrds' "Mr. Tambourine Man."

Overall, Strike! is an engaging and thought-provoking movie that tackles important social and political issues through the lens of a group of relatable and likable characters. The movie is funny, poignant, and inspiring, and it resonates with the current political climate and the ongoing struggle for workers' rights and gender equality.

Strike! is a 1997 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 37 minutes.