Nine to Five

Released in 1980, the comedy film "Nine to Five" directed by Colin Higgins, revolves around the lives of three women: Judy Bernly (Jane Fonda), a divorced secretary; Violet Newstead (Lily Tomlin), a highly competent but underappreciated executive secretary; and Doralee Rhodes (Dolly Parton), a beautiful and charming receptionist working under the misogynistic and oppressive boss, Franklin Hart Jr. (Dabney Coleman). Frank Hart treats his female employees like dirt - making constant sexist remarks and taking advantage of them in the most demeaning ways possible. However, his true nature is eventually exposed when his three assistants concoct a plan to capture Hart and lock him in his own house. They succeed in their plan by manipulating their way into Hart's house by claiming he has left for a golf tournament. In the meantime, Violet discovers an opportunity to temporarily take charge of the company's operation. However, the real plan is for Judy, Violet, and Doralee to take over while Hart is held captive. Violet becomes the interim manager, and the three women begin making changes in the company, implementing reforms and making the working conditions more comfortable for the other employees. As a result, the office environment changes significantly, with employees showing increased productivity and satisfaction. Violet assigns the tasks to the employees based on their abilities and skills rather than on their personal relationships with Hart. The employees begin taking ownership of their work, leading to a significant increase in efficiency. As Violet's management skills prove effective, she earns the respect and admiration of her peers and even her colleagues. However, their actions have consequences. Franklin Hart Jr. is desperate to escape and reclaim his position. Violet, Judy, and Doralee find ways to keep him occupied and busy by creating an illusion of his presence. On the other hand, Hart's attempts at escape are foiled time and again - sometimes due to his own ineptness, while other times he inadvertently puts himself in more precarious positions. Despite his growing frustration, Hart continues to plot his revenge. Doralee, Judy, and Violet's temporary takeover gains the attention of other women in the company who begin to share their own stories of exploitation at the hands of Hart. These testimonies solidify the trio's position as guardians, as they make sure no other employee gets hurt while Hart is held captive. However, they have not reckoned with Hart's cunning and his connections to the rest of the company higher-ups. As time passes, Hart finds new ways to break free. With every passing attempt, Hart comes across as increasingly pitiful and ineffectual in his efforts. Despite this, his tenacity and the knowledge he holds as the actual boss keep making him a threat to the new management. Meanwhile, Violet's transformation as the interim manager earns her recognition and respect from those around her, including her male colleagues. The story unfolds with Hart's schemes getting more and more absurd, resulting in him eventually managing to send the company's executives a message using his computer, detailing his supposed plans to take drastic measures. But the executives dismiss the message, assuming someone else sent it. Doralee and Judy come up with an innovative idea to tie Hart up forever while Violet continues with her management duties. However, a series of misadventures involving Hart's attempts, Doralee's new relationship, and Judy's secret, expose the scheme to their male colleagues, putting the trio at risk of being fired. In the end, Violet's determination and the company's rising productivity are too much for Hart to handle. As the truth finally unravels, Hart is brought back to the office and publicly shunned, his attempts to exact revenge foiled once again. Doralee's newfound love gets to spend time with her, Judy's past starts to heal, and Violet's newfound respect from her peers solidifies, making her the perfect candidate to lead the company's restructuring.