Watch Ladies in Black

In the late 1950s, in Sydney, Australia, a group of women become friends and colleagues as they work together in a department store. The movie Ladies in Black follows the lives of four of these women as they navigate their personal lives and careers. First, there is Lisa (played by Angourie Rice), a bright and ambitious teenager who is working at the store during her school holidays. Lisa dreams of going to university, which is a rarity for a young woman at this time, and she idolizes the classic heroines of literature. Through her experiences at the store, Lisa learns about herself and begins to see the world in new ways.

Next, there is Magda (played by Julia Ormond), a chic and sophisticated Slovenian immigrant who runs the store's haute couture section. Magda takes Lisa under her wing and teaches her about fashion and style, but also about the challenges of being an independent woman in a new country. Magda is married to Rudi (Noni Hazlehurst), an old-fashioned Hungarian who is suspicious of his wife's success.

Fay (played by Rachael Taylor) is a glamorous and outgoing woman who is the envy of her colleagues. Fay is secretly struggling with her marriage to a philandering husband and her longing for a life of her own. She takes Lisa under her wing, as well, but in a different way than Magda does, challenging her to have fun and be daring.

Lastly, there is Patty (played by Alison McGirr), a mother of two who has put her dreams on hold to raise her family. Patty is good-natured and practical, but she begins to feel restless as her children grow older and more independent. She becomes involved with a men's group at the store, which leads her to question her place in the world.

As the women work together and socialize outside of work, they begin to see the limitations of the roles that society has assigned to them. They face discrimination and prejudice, but they also find support and sisterhood in each other. Through their experiences, the women learn about themselves and the world they live in, and they begin to chart their own paths.

Ladies in Black is a charming and thoughtful movie that captures a moment in time when Australia was undergoing significant social change. It is based on the novel Women in Black by Madeleine St. John, and it is directed by Bruce Beresford, who also directed the acclaimed film Driving Miss Daisy. The film features gorgeous period costumes and a fantastic soundtrack that includes classic pop songs from the era.

Julia Ormond delivers a standout performance as Magda, embodying her character's grace, intelligence, and wit. Angourie Rice is delightful as Lisa, capturing her character's youthful energy and idealism. Rachael Taylor brings depth and complexity to Fay, making her more than just a glamorous socialite. Alison McGirr is terrific as Patty, infusing her character with warmth and humor.

Ultimately, Ladies in Black is a celebration of women's friendships, of their resilience and humor in the face of adversity. It is a movie that will leave you feeling uplifted and inspired.

Ladies in Black is a 2018 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 49 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8 and a MetaScore of 65.