Thank goodness Neil Sedaka wasn't around
 Sep 29th, 2003
Advantages:
Makes a change from nubile young things
Disadvantages:
The nudge nudge wink wink element from some
Recommendable:
Yes
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  orlando
About me:
Back to work again. Roll on Christmas!
Member since:19.05.2002
Reviews:142
Members who trust:172
Review rated by 57 Ciao members on average: very helpful 
Calendar Girls Yesterday, I went to see the film Calendar Girls. This was a rare treat to go to the cinema as money has been exceedingly tight of late and both me and mine needed a pick-me-up!
I remember the furore back in the late 1990’s, when I was working for a charity, around a calendar that had been produced by the WI that featured naked middle-aged women. At the time my colleagues felt that maybe we should produce one too in order to raise funds for our charity, but on further thought decided it was very unlikely that any of us would manage to sell any calendars unless there was a good deal of special effects. Apparently, in the year that the calendar was published, it out sold the official Britney Spears and the Cindy Crawford calendars, according to Unlimited UGC cinema magazine. The film, Calendar Girls, is based on the true story of a Yorkshire village where the local WI decided to use the calendar to raise funds to refurbish the relative’s room in the Oncology department of the local hospital. The story follows the underhanded scheming that needed to go on behind the starchy matronly ‘Marie’ who runs the local group, and the signing up of prospective ‘models’ for the artwork. Then the difficulty of finding a photographer whom the women could trust to take their photographic portraits but who should preferably be female. Of course, the portraits would be in true WI style and feature the normal WI fayre, but with naked bods in them! All in the best possible taste, of course.
The main character, Annie (played by Julie Walters) is the reason behind the refurbishment of the hospital. Following a long illness, and her interminable waiting in the dull waiting room, her husband (played by the wonderful John Alderton) loses his battle with Leukaemia. Prior to his last bout of illness, he had planned to visit the local WI to do a talk, but never managed to get that far. He had written a short poem about how women are like plants with every stage more beautiful and the last stage being the most glorious (before they go to seed!). It was this that inspired the women to pose nude to show that, even in middle age, women are still beautiful, especially to their loved ones. I will not say anymore about the plot of the story except to say that the effects on the families and how they deal with the outcome of this calendar is the main theme.
Nigel Cole directed this film, and the screen play was by Tim Firth and Juliette Towhidi. The casting was brilliant, although I felt that Brenda Blethyn missed a good opportunity with this film and should have been in the cast too. It certainly had the cream of British actresses in Julie Walters, Helen Mirren, Celia Imrie, Penelope Wilton and Annette Crosby plus other famous faces but with names that have escaped me. The supporting men were equally as good in John Alderton (husband) and Philip Glenister (photographer). My one criticism of the film is that it will have done nothing to help the WI’s up and down the country. The local group was made to look like a lack-lustre, jam making, boring affair and with women who had had a personality removal. I have never been to a WI but I know people who have gone and they would not have stepped through the door if they had had to sing Jerusalem every week (or any week!). Geraldine James made a very good ‘Matron’, ordering everyone about and with a Margaret Thatcher demeanour, which was good fun, but very unrealistic.
That said though, it did add a humourous touch to the film which at times had me laughing out loud and, at others, had me wiping away tears. Running time was nearly 2 hours, so make sure you get the popcorn and coke in, and the film was distributed by Bueno Vista (just so you know!).
An excellent film and well worth the money for the tickets.
Orlando 2003
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![Calendar Girls [DVD] [2003]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78498835.jpg)
by (4%):
02.12.2004 01:11
I don't muchly like the sound of this really ! Philippa. X
17.10.2003 12:07
I saw this recently (and dragged the other half along with me), we both really enjoyed it. It made me laugh, cry and smile, something I look for in any good film! Cate.
12.10.2003 17:23
Loved this film hadn't been to the cinema in ages. glad i saw this tho! xxx