As much as I enjoy going to see a film at the cinema, my phobias make it seem rather daunting. Being a plain-looking, overweight thirty-something, I feel very self-conscious going to a multiplex where everyone else seems young, slim and beautiful. But last night was different. My husband and I were amongst the youngest there and I certainly wasn’t the largest or the plainest. This meant that instead of sucking my stomach in for the entirety of the film, I could sit comfortably and enjoy it – and I did.
An added bonus of going to see a film about fifty-somethings is that the audience seems to consist of mainly that kind of age. Admittedly, there were many women but also lots of older couples. Calendar Girls seems to be the sort of film that brings out those who rarely go to the cinema. They made a special trip to see this and by the sounds of the laughter around us, we all loved it.
So, what is it all about? For those who don’t know, it follows the true-life story of a group of women from the Knapeley Women’s Institute (W.I.) in Yorkshire.
When one of them suffers a bereavement, they feel they want to do something special to raise funds for the local hospital. Fed up of the dull subjects of most of their branch meetings, they want to ditch the plum jam, rug making and vegetable growing competitions.
As the Chairwoman of their W. I. branch has just proposed a calendar featuring photographs of local bridges, they consider something different. Inspired by a speech left by Annie’s late husband, they want to illustrate the beauty of the older woman. Combining this idea with the traditional images of Women’s Institute activities, they plan to produce a tasteful calendar showing themselves in the nude. The film shows how they have to overcome several obstacles to achieve this, even taking on the wrath of the W. I. itself!
The plot is not the best part of the film. I mean, it is an excellent story, but most of us are familiar with the basics and that doesn’t detract from your enjoyment at all. You really need to watch it to appreciate everything. It is a beautifully shot film, with stunning views of the Yorkshire scenery and an idyllic snapshot of English village life. The height of the hills is used to great effect too, with my favourite shot being Chris’s son scattering the newspapers from the top of one.
The script is very good too, with convincing lines and a lot of humour. Despite some heavy themes including cancer and infidelity, the movie is essentially a comedy with many laugh-out-loud moments. It is definitely a feel-good film. It is filled with warmth and a kind heart – much like the main women characters who are outstanding. They are also very ‘real’ women – no model-like stick-thin dolls with waist-length blonde hair and pert nipples. These women are ordinary – wrinkled, overweight, ageing – but are still beautiful, both inside and out.
The cast is perfect. Then again, you would expect that from the list of stars in it. Researching the main cast at imdb.com, it is impressive that between them, they represent some of the most successful British TV series over the last few decades. Julie Walters herself has a huge CV of many film and TV roles. It is also great to see such wonderful roles for actors aged in their fifties and sixties.
Helen Mirren, born 1945, best known for Prime Suspect Julie Walters, 1950, Billy Elliot, Harry Potter, Stepping Out Penelope Wilton, 1946, Ever Decreasing Circles Celia Imrie, 1952, Dinnerladies Annette Crosbie, 1934, One Foot in the Grave John Alderton, 1940, Please Sir! Geraldine James, 1950, Band of Gold
Truly a cast to be proud of and they don’t disappoint. Julie Walters (Annie) and Helen Mirren (Chris) are especially good and their close friendship on screen is completely believable. One of the best things about Calendar Girls is how we get to know the characters, how we watch their lives change and how much we feel for them.
I cannot praise this film high enough. It has everything you could want from a movie – stunning scenery, great acting, an interesting story and bucketloads of humour. It is rated 12A, but there isn’t anything that can’t be seen in front of any ages. Admittedly there are saggy boobs and lined bottoms, but it is all done in a very tasteful and discreet way. There is no violence or swearing and it is a film you could happily take your parents or grandparents to see.
My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed it and left the cinema grinning along with the fifty-somethings. I would be happy to go to see it again right now and I’ll be buying it once it comes out on DVD. If it makes me realise my boobs are actually quite pert and my face has very few wrinkles, well that’s an added bonus!
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Comedy - Director: Richard Boden, Mandie Fletcher, Martin Shardlow - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Hugh Laurie, Miranda Richardson, Stephen Fry, Brian Blessed, Tim McInnerny, Tony Robinson, Rowan Atkinson
Comedy - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Tessa Peake-Jones, Buster Merryfield, David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst
Comedy - Director: Tony Dow - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: John Challis, David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst, Tessa Peake-Jones, Gwyneth Strong
Maybe I should try to see the film some time, it sounds odd but fun. re Freespirit's comment - Camden Libraries staff have produced one featuring women from 37 to 60, and did you see that storyline on Casualty? Maybe it will.
brightspark 21.10.2003 19:06
excellent op! Haven't seen this yet but it sounds worth checking out
mjthebabe 14.10.2003 20:02
I thoroughly enjoyed this film and was so surprised that my boyfriend wanted to see it too - until he let me know that he and many of his friends 'admired' Helen Mirren. Mary-Jane
In the sensible yet elegant hands of actresses Helen Mirren and Julie Walters,Calendar ... more
Girlswalks a fine line between sappiness and snickering and ends up both wonderfully funny and gently touching. When her best friend Annie (Walters) loses her husban...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
In the sensible yet elegant hands of actresses Helen Mirren and Julie Walters,Calendar ... more
Girlswalks a fine line between sappiness and snickering and ends up both wonderfully funny and gently touching. When her best friend Annie (Walters) loses her husban...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
CALENDAR GIRLS is the hilariously quirky comedy starring Golden Globe winners Helen Mirren ... more
and Julie Walters and directed by Nigel Cole. When twelve extraordinary members of the Women's Institute, a proper local charity, decide they need to find a new ...
![Calendar Girls [DVD] [2003]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78498835.jpg "Calendar Girls [DVD] [2003]")
Sep 18th, 2003
very helpful by (98%):
helpful by (2%):
