In our last podcast of this season, we discuss the 1992 legal drama (and listener-pick), A Few Good Men. There are a helluva lot of examples of sexual harassment, sex-based harassment and even sexual orientation harassment in this film, mostly by Jack Nicholson’s character. Although Simon and Jack jockey for position to say the immortal line, “You can’t handle the truth”, there is only one winner. Oscar-nomination incoming? Until next time, folks…

We hope you’ve got your tissues handy, dear listeners, since Simon and Jack dissect the 1997 film, Titanic. Does gross negligence (hitting an iceberg) require to be wilful for it to amount to gross misconduct? What are the rules regarding the 48-hour working week for the Titanic crew? And was there enough room on that floating door for both Kate and Leo? In our penultimate podcast, Simon and Jack answer at least two of these three questions…

This week, Simon and Jack discuss listener request and 2007 film, Hot Fuzz. Was it fair for Sergeant Angel’s employer to reward his high performance with a move from London to Gloucestershire? Did his contract include a relocation clause? Should PC Butterman have been performance-managed? And how could the employer have dealt with PC Doris’ risqué comments? Fortunately, there is no singing in this podcast, mainly due to the high pollen count. But, if you listen closely, you might hear Jack’s chair…

OK listeners, I hope that you’ve warmed up your vocal cords since Simon and Jack are discussing the employment law themes contained in The Greatest Showman. Did Lettie Lutz aka the bearded lady have a protected characteristic? Was PT Barnum’s recruitment style discriminatory? Could Anne Wheeler have lodged a harassment claim against Barnum’s Circus. And should Mr Jackman have created a DEI committee. Si restrains himself and sings just the once... Or twice. (Actually, you’d better draw me a five-bar gate).

This week, we review a hidden gem. Two Days, One Night is a Belgian film which was BAFTA nominated in 2014. If you were offered the choice between a €1,000 cash bonus, or the option to save a colleague from redundancy, what choice would you make? Simon and Jack take an in-depth look at redundancy including the test for redundancy and whether an employee can be made redundant after a period of sickness absence. Can an employer fairly dismiss when other people have voted on the matter? And you can find out whether Simon’s “conversational French” allowed to him to understand this film without subtitles. (The answer, in French, is “non”) 

This week, we review the employment law themes contained in the 1993 film, Jurassic Park. Billionaire John Hammond won’t give Dennis Nedry, brilliant computer programmer, a raise, nor will Hammond discuss the matter with him. Despite the fact that lots of people die, as a direct result of Nedry’s actions, Simon argues that Nedry was the real hero of Jurassic Park with Hammond’s greed being the villain... Jack assesses whether Nedry was self-employed or an employee. And they both dispense legal advice to Nedry re grievances, discrimination and subject access requests.  Warning… there is a fairly poor impression of John Hammond at the start of this episode but it’s over within the first ten seconds.

Simon and Jack continue season two of their “The Law Behind The Movies” podcast by discussing the 2005 trial drama, North Country. Was Josie (Charlize Theron) wrong to take a job in the iron mine where her dad worked? Should the owners of the mine have been concerned when she lodged a complaint of harassment?  And was it a reasonable step to suggest that she could resign? (Warning listeners – this is a fairly academic podcast with discussions about workplace incidents of harassment. But, if you stay tuned to the end, you will hear the VERY limited laughter when Si picks next week’s film).

Simon and Jack commence season two of their “The Law Behind The Movies” podcast by discussing the 1986 action/drama film, Top Gun. Was Maverick (Tom Cruise) serenading Kelly McGillis in the bar the most romantic gesture ever?

Should the Top Gun Academy have been concerned about the student/instructor relationship and have created an internal Relationships Policy? And who was to blame for Goose’s death? (Warning listeners – there is some singing in this episode).

For the final podcast of this season, Simon & Jack travel back to the Summer of ‘63, have the time of their lives & discuss hit chick flick, Dirty Dancing. Was Max Kellerman guilty of discrimination? Could his nephew Neil have fired Johnny for the stolen wallets? And was Baby’s admission about her mambo partner “all for nothing”? Don’t fret, listeners. We’ll return later in the year. But, in the meantime, please remember, nobody puts JB in a corner…

Does Anakin Skywalker meet the common law test of being an apprentice (agreement, training, duration of contract) in Star Wars, Attack of the Clones? Has the young Padawan received any training? And can Obi Wan expel Anakin from the Jedi Order like he could a normal Jedi? Lastly has Jack actually watched the film in the last week? (If you listen to the very end of this podcast, you will find your answer).