Radium Girls (2018) User Reviews

Good subject, bland presentation

[ysatrembly · 5/10 · 31 October 2020]

Such a potentially interesting story wasted on insipid dialog and poor plot development. I love a good looking historical film, but could the makers have devoted a little more time to the details? 50-star American flags, 1940s swing music and 1980s ties and sweaters - - - in 1926? I'm sorry, Bessie could not have spoken Valley Girl in the 20s.

The cutaways to vintage film and newsreel scenes could have been a novel way to establish historical context, but too many of the clips were only weakly related to the subject matter.

An important story ruined by a bland script...

[paul_haakonsen · 5/10 · 17 December 2020]

I must admit that I was expecting much more from the 2018 movie titled "Radium Girls" than what writers Ginny Mohler and Brittany Shaw managed to deliver. Why? Well, because of the subject and topic of the storyline and its importance in real life and the lives of those girls working in the Radium business.

This is indeed a very tragic story, but for some reason directors Lydia Dean Pilcher and Ginny Mohler managed to deliver the storyline and its contents in a somewhat disappointing manner, and I must say that I was left with an overwhelming sensation of "was that really it?". This movie's story holds such a significant tale and importance that it felt that directors Lydia Dean Pilcher and Ginny Mohler just nonchalantly brushed over the topic without delving properly into the contents and putting to the screen the tragedy and the horror of these real life events.

The pacing of the storyline felt, oddly enough, monotonous and never really managed to capture me entirely. Sure, the movie was watchable, but it just felt too shallow and bland, to be bluntly honest.

"Radium Girls" was gifted with a rather good ensemble of actors and actresses, and while they had precious little to work with in terms of a proper script and dialogue, then the actors and actresses did manage to put on good enough performances, enough so to make the movie watchable.

I was disappointed with the contents of this 2018 movie as it came to an end. And as such, I am rating the movie a mediocre five out of ten stars. This was hardly a sufficient manner to shed light upon one of the most ghastly real life horror stories of American industry.

Should have stuck with the book.

[nateso · 5/10 · 3 March 2021]

They managed to take a piece of women's history and make it dull. Read the book.

a part of history we should know

[ferguson-6 · 7/10 · 22 October 2020]

Greetings again from the darkness. A huckster or carnival barker is spouting off the many uses and health benefits of radium. He even hails it as "liquid sunshine". That's how this film from co-directors Lydia Dean Pilcher (A CALL TO SPY, 2020) and Ginny Mohler kicks off. Ms. Mohler co-wrote the screenplay with Brittany Shaw, and it's presented as a historical dramatization - some of the names have been changed to protect both the innocent and guilty.

Joey King ("Fargo") stars as Bessie, younger sister to Josephine (Abby Quinn, I'M THINKING OF ENDING THINGS). Josephine is the more studious of the two, as Bessie dreams of becoming a Hollywood star. Both girls work as dial painters at American Radium (re-named from the actual United States Radium Corporation). Josephine wins awards for being the most productive, while Bessie gets scolded and has her pay docked due to shoddy work. See, Bessie refuses to lick the brush to create the fine tip needed for precise work. So what's a dial painter? Well, it's 1925, and these women are applying a radioactive liquid to the faces of watches to create the popular glow-in-the-dark effect. Marie Curie's discovery from twenty years prior has been found to have many uses, including shrinking cancerous tumors. However, the story finds the dial painters who lick-dip-paint, are getting sick and dying at an ever-increasing rate.

Mary, older sister to Bessie and Josephine and also a dial painter, had previously died after being diagnosed with syphilis. Bessie's outrage and curiosity starts to build when the company doctor passes along the same diagnosis to (virgin) sister Josephine when her teeth start falling out, her joints ache, and her skin breaks out in a rash. We witness the transformation of Bessie from teenybopper to activist. She's helped along by love interest Walt (Collin Kelly-Sordelet) who introduces her to the socialist movement, as well as Wiley Stephens (Cara Seymour, "The Knick"), the real life founder of the Consumers League.

Many dial painters refused to believe the connection and were frightened to lose their job. A few came forward, though they struggled to find a legal counsel willing to go against the giant corporation led by the arrogant Mr. Roeder (John Bedford Lloyd). It's interesting to see the pieces come together for the 1928 court case. Another real life player in this chain of events was Dr Katherine Drinker (played her by Veanne Cox), the scientist who conducted the confidential study that concluded radium produced harsh effects, including physical deterioration - just as Josephine has experienced.

The courtroom scenes may not have the dramatic impact that we are accustomed to seeing in cinema, but this is a remarkable story of some incredibly strong women who stood up, not just for themselves, but for those who wouldn't or couldn't come forward. Their court case led to changes in workplace safety laws, while also reminding us of an era when women were given so little power, and giant corporations and the government ruled the roost and couldn't be trusted. The filmmakers blend some vintage clips throughout, and use the discovery of King Tut's tomb only three years prior to give the feel of this era nearly 100 years past. Rosamund Pike starred as Marie Curie in RADIOACTIVE earlier this year, and there have been a couple of books written on this topic: "The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America's Shining Women" by Kate Moore (2016), and "Radium Girls: A Play in Two Acts" by DW Gregory (2000). It's a story of courageous women that deserves a wider audience.

by all means...

[ops-52535 · 7/10 · 16 December 2020]

Its a historical drama of factual happenings, though its a bit dulled and dragged out. its a film about workers occupational safety, and as this was not the first case, it became the most important in form of changes, amount of compensation, and a wake up call to the common citizen that things that we surrounds us with maybe harmful and lethal. lead is another stroven issue of the topic, as painters and dental assistants had a death statistic that are miles above the average. i once had a patient where the lead in the paint he used in his daily work, litterally ate out/away his brain tissue, and the result was severe dementia, and eventually paralysis and death. symptomatology like syphilis here too, but it was eventually proven not to be.

production wise its cool with the vintage filmclips in between, and the production design are good. acting on average. i think the makeup artists couldve been far more cruel visually, cause the workers looks no more than redfeverish and mumpsy in their faces. our beloved film reviewer roger ebert(r.i.p.) had some jaw issues due to other reasons, but thats how the worst case scenario should have been illustrated.

so if your afaraid of the dangers of occupational hazards in your workplace, then rise up and tell about it. it may serve as a lifesaver to many... a recommended film to view thinks the dizzy grumpy old man after a nightshift rubbing my hands and arms with 80% alcohol 150 times pr watch, how does my epidermis and liver react to that...?

A piece of history unknown to me

[jamactechnical · 6/10 · 9 January 2021]

A interesting story I have never heard about in this historical drama based on a true story on the greedy giant corporations of the early 20th century that had lied and failed to protect its workers. After watching this film, I was curious to know more about the details of this period event through searching online...very disturbing facts but bravo to all the women that came forward to fight against what was taken from them and to warn others of these horrors. All the actors did well in their performance especially the two main actors who played the sisters. It's a watchable film if you like historical dramas based on a true story. Give it a go...you will learn something new from it. It's a 6 stars from me.

Good idea, executed poorly

[Calicodreamin · 4/10 · 16 September 2021]

Radium girls has strong potential storyline wise, it's historical and mostly unknown. The medical effects on the girls is horrific and the coverup sensational. However, this movie is plagued by bad acting, a low budget, and a meandering story. With so much going on why are there so many filler scenes? The flashes of old time footage were unnecessary and most of the conversations were pointless.

Great little clip of rarely considered history

[compjazzca-68116 · 9/10 · 19 December 2020]

I'd seen old catalogue and newspaper ads for radium products from cosmetics of all sorts to watches, elixirs etc. but had given little thought to the plant workers and product testers that made them. Hopefully, some who watch this will take it as a subtle wake up call to look into some of the chemicals (many untested) that are being added to our personal products; shampoo, makeup, even sunscreens etc., and foods. An ice cream that never melts cannot be healthy. We ARE what we eat, drink and put on our bodies. Kudos to the producer here! I found it a bit slow and a bit mild in terms of not truly expressing the extreme mental and physical anguish these women went through - otherwise I'd give it a 10.

Historically inaccurate but a decent film

[timetopooptoday · 7/10 · 18 January 2021]

Historically there were many inaccuracies. They touched on a few points of the Communist Scare, but back then life was very different than conveyed in the film. The wardrobe and dialogue was more along the lines of "inspired by" if that helps. Plus, in one shot Bessie wore a finger wave while in other shots she's in a bob. (Was that intended to separate the events and storyline by the week?) Women had their hair done once weekly back then, was that what that was intended to do? Also, as much as I hate to remember it because it truly was terrible, segregation was a thing back then, back then it was not out of the norm. It was a real thing. It was literally taught that it was a bad thing to mix, at parties or anywhere else. I felt that those scenes when they threw in the tokens was a bit insulting. Either make the film legitimately accurate or not, but don't throw a black woman and man in there for good measure, it's mean. It's as though the film said, "We're required to have a couple of black actors...and so there they are even though this is totally inaccurate of the timeline." It's plain rude and plain weird. Then again, there's a lot of new (weird) politics going on so... This is a story about a poor family, the two daughters were the family support. But they managed to get a radio when only 30% of America had one then. Radios were a great luxury back then and very expensive at this point in time. By the 30's about 60% of America had one. A family couldn't survive on a woman's wage but they had 2 woman's wages coming in which was almost what a man earned. But they could afford a radio? Just saying. But maybe it was for atmosphere, who knows..

A True Disappointment

[LilOrangeFox · 2/10 · 18 January 2021]

They softball every aspect of the story. I read the book the first time 2 years ago and have been waiting to see the movie since then.

They do not depict the destruction radium wrought upon the bodies and lives of these girls. All they show is bruised faces. All they mention is glowing bones and lost teeth.

The court battle that took ages and saw the passing of many girls before it was settled, is depicted quickly, with no insight into the fight these girls had to go through just to get someone to listen to them.

This is a story of suffering, death, and horrific events, and a long, drawn out legal battle. None of this is depicted in the film. This was a hallmark film, not a true depiction.

Slow but good.

[bakersdozen41 · 8/10 · 24 January 2021]

This movie was better than I thought, especially after I read some bad reviews. It had surprise of honesty in it. Some very interesting educational clips of history.

Read the book skip this movie

[ricci427 · 24 January 2021]

Funny, I wasn't aware of BLM in the 20s. It's a great book, could've been a great movie, but someone had to go and add in racism that is no where the book, woke BS at its best.

Why this ending?

[Carol_in_Chicago · 6/10 · 1 November 2021]

The story needed to be told and I was engrossed throughout. But the ending was so wishy-washy, as if the hard decision to settle out of court was somehow a huge success. Those little happy family scenes, the repurchase of the radio, as sappy as It's Wonderful Life.

It took decades to stop the use of radium in consumer products.

We are STILL fighting for safe and healthy working conditions in many industries.

Ending the film at this moment was a betrayal of working people everywhere.

Terrible and I was excited!

[MiniCooper91 · 1/10 · 15 July 2021]

I just watched a 25 minute video about the radium girls on YouTube yesterday and I was so sad yet fascinated. I found this on Netflix and was excited to learn more about this tragedy. This movie was just horrible! They talked like they were in the 2020s, not the 1920s, the movie didn't even describe what these poor girls went through! Did you know their story contributed to the creation of OSHA? The girls went through this ordeal with the court for years also! Radium reeked havoc on their bodies, not just bruises! A little bit of research will teach you more than this movie. The whole movie had such few historical facts and was just slow. I'm so disappointed. I learned more from a 25 minute YouTube video. Don't waste your time.

The subject-matter deserves consideration in the review.

[malakia2966 · 7/10 · 23 April 2021]

Just finished watching this with my Wife and 9-yr old daughter. And though at the 1hr mark the 9yr old was looking forward to the ending, I think she enjoyed it.

I will say that the filming style, which is inter-mixed with video clips of the American 20's, was a little more "cable special" then is a typical Hollywood movie, There are critiques for-sure, but again the impact of the message, and the impact on my 9-yr old should be enough for you to watch.

I will leave by saying the last 20min of the movie make it ALL WORTH WHILE; even though the horrible story and suffering is hard to imagine.

PS. Was a little annoyed at the "rosy" representation of the Communist party in the '20's.

Watchable and an important story

[oldkystude-296-459326 · 6/10 · 7 February 2021]

A fine effort but not a great movie. I also am greatly annoyed when period pieces screw up the easy things. (Swing music in the Jazz era, modern light switches, vintage radios that play without warming up and then without the need of a speaker horn. It's not likely that this impoverished family could even buy such a rare luxury. A Victrola maybe.)

Please forget the reviews that consider this Communist propaganda. I know that the American Communists were involved in helping workers in this era but it is only passingly referenced with a quick visual image of a young man's pin. Hardly the pro-commie propaganda film some have insinuated in other reviews.

It is a fairly good movie and you will get a good sense of the important story. It will mostly inspire you to find the book.

Great Subject Matter But Disappointing Product

[buckwheatnoodles · 6/10 · 4 July 2021]

It seems like the script was cut in ways which inhibited character development. The studio should have paid for a better director of photography. Joey King did a good performance. Direction was good considering what the DP had done. Overall I'd say the fault lay in script, photography, and editing.

Butchered the book in a thousand embarrassing ways

[bmitchell-29309 · 1/10 · 12 March 2021]

They had an entire book to go off of that was truly a story better than fiction and seemed instead to almost make an effort to flout historical anything and write a weirdly modern feeling teenage activist movie with an embarrassingly childish and overt leftist theme. They mixed in weird progressive subplots that had nothing to do with the actual fight the story focused on and did absolute no justice to the true fight of a score of women who fought in court with dignity and bravery despite incredible odds. The story needed no embellishment and yet the writers made it infinitely worse of a story while retaining none of the true historical (and feminist, and at the time progressive) context and events. Embarrassing so embarrassing. Anti intellectualism at its finest

Awful, profoundly inaccurate

[random-70778 · 24 May 2021]

Firstly this isn't a slightly woke pitch for communism, but an overt one. We know know that in communist and socialist societies at the time occupational safety in factories was massively worse than it was in the US or western Europe. So what on earth is with overt pro-communist spin? We know from records released decades ago that workers in the Soviet workers paradise industrial factories in the 1920's had much worse health outcomes. Moreover we also know that in communist societies people who complained were murdered by the state en masse.

Also making this about greed rather than ignorance is highly problematic given we know that at the time people who were *relatively* highly educated and informed about radiation were killing or injuring themselves with it (hello Marie Curie). Also that patients were getting severe and injurious and often mortal doses of radiation in hospital radiology (such as x-rays for broken bones) and radiotherapy. People were being harmed -- and being helped -- by radioactive materials. Again this was independent of economic system.

The issue was NOT economic system, unions, workers rights or occupational safety laws. Today we would say "follow the science" -- well in the 1920's the science was saying this was benign! So the issue was simply ignorance.

Ultimately these facts make this film a bunch of nonsense, and its hamhanded message even more ludicrous.

A Powerful Story Told by a Simple Movie

[bshaef · 8/10 · 2 February 2021]

I, for one, don't care if the filmmakers didn't cross the T's or dot the I's, because the story's main focus was told without big name actors or slick production values. I was involved in a case concerning lethal chemical. I wish someone would tell their story. How about the polluted sites across the US. This film is another cautionary tale of profits overruling human life.

Oh, how I wanted to love this.

[lwoods2 · 6/10 · 27 January 2021]

It's a nice story, but it's loosely based upon the events. The depiction of radium affliction is grossly understated, and the pacing is slow enough to allow you the time to absorb the dull dialogue. Had they focused on the Ottawa plant instead, there would have been a lot more material to work with, and it would have been far more interesting.

Read the book

[aethomas-78426 · 3/10 · 7 February 2021]

Powerful piece of history but the movie is bland as could be. Skip this and read the book!

Important social story

[domialenic · 8/10 · 18 December 2020]

The movie highlights an important real story that affected the lives of many people. The acting could have been better, but the story in itself was enough to carry the film. Good to see that in the "old" days the news was still independent enough to support the right causes. Something that in our present day and age would be impossible.

Relevant Movie Done Good

[Erikafemrite · 6/10 · 26 December 2020]

I wonder if some reviewers thought they were seeing Kissing Booth 3? It lacked the depth needed to fill in some off the supporting storylines, but overall I thought it was an interesting story acted well. Worth watching if you like this kind of movie (I'm thinking Suffragette/Erin Brokovitz). Skip if you'd rather see Joey Kings ginormous lips on something more vapid.

An Actual Atrocity

[yssffynx · 2/10 · 2 July 2021]

The story of the radium girls is powerful. They were a group of women who fought a huge corporation and misguided scientific belief, and they won. This is drivel. It fluffs over their suffering and the court battle they fought. This is such a misrepresentation of an important event in American history. It's criminal. Don't waste your time on this misrepresentation. Go read The Radium Girls by Kate Moore. If you're not a reader, get the audiobook. It's worth your time in a way this never will be.