CALENDAR GIRLS was undoubtedly one of the biggest hits of 2003 and that rare gem – a good British movie. Most British films appear to be either comedies or arty films about middle-aged women. Calendar Girls is both and it succeeds where many fail. Based on the true story of ladies from a women’s institute in North Yorkshire, Calendar Girls is funny, touching and heart warming.

THE STORY

The women’s institute is the equivalent of a Good Housekeeping Club where the women trade skills such as baking and also learn long-forgotten arts such as flower pressing and making jam. However much to the amusement of life-long friends Chris (Helen Mirren) and Annie (Julie Walters), their local WI has resorted to teaching them about the many different types of broccoli. Chris, who only joined the WI because her mother wanted her to, resignedly agrees to the usual yearly calendar featuring cakes, flowers and jam and making a grand profit of around £60.

However one-day Annie’s life is turned upside down when she discovers her beloved husband John (John Alderton) has been diagnosed with leukaemia. Watching Annie spend the worst hours of her life sitting in the relative’s room as John’s condition deteriorates Chris decides the place needs sprucing up. A new comfy sofa is needed for starters. Her son’s hidden magazine and a girly calendar she spots in a garage gives Chris an unusual idea. Annie agrees because before John lost his battle with cancer he wrote a speech for the WI comparing Yorkshire women to sunflowers whose “last phase is the most beautiful”. Thus the women decide to pose naked for the annual calendar. I’m sorry nude.

They quickly gather support from their friends at the WI branch. The pianist, Cora (Linda Bassett) comments “if I’m not going to get them out now when will I?” Their only friend who refuses is downtrodden wife Ruth (Penelope Wilton) who thinks she couldn’t possibly do such a thing.

The actual shooting of the calendar provides the funniest scenes of the whole film. Forgetting any fear (or modesty!) the ladies take it in turns to pose naked whilst carrying out traditional WI activities such as baking, knitting and painting. Even Ruth, her husband away on business again, eventually comes round and poses, artfully concealed by a watering can! The best quote of the film has to go to Chris who looking at the voluptuous Celia (Celia Imrie) posing behind a display of iced buns comments “we’re going to need considerably bigger buns”!

After baring all the ladies still face a number of challenges in making their calendar a money-spinning success. Will they attract enough publicity? Can they overcome opposition from their uptight WI leader Marie? And if it is a success will all the attention wreck havoc with their friendships and personal lives?

THE CAST

I’m convinced it would not have been possible to out together a better cast for this film. The acclaimed Helen Mirren, well known for getting her kit off, is fantastic as the anti-housewife who desperately wants to make a success of something. As a woman struggling to cope with loosing her husband Julie Walters gives a wonderfully touching and realistic performance. However much of her suffering is only suggested and she also has many funny and light-hearted moments which stops the movie becoming depressing in any way. The supporting cast is equally fantastic. The oldest lady to bear all is Jessie, played by Annette Crosbie (One Foot in the Grave), whose husband nonchalantly comments “Darling your naked in The Times”. Penelope Wilton’s Ruth is so life like you really feel for her – she’s almost a married Bridget Jones. As usual Celia Imrie is glamorous and fantastic and Linda Bassett is very likeable. It really is the women who are the focus in this film and deservedly steal the show. However special mention must go to John Alderton for his portrayal of Annie’s ill-fated husband and Philip Glenister who plays the ever-so embarrassed photographer Lawrence.

CONCLUSION

Calendar Girls has received a great deal of well-deserved praise. It was, as I expected, funny in a heart-warming kind of way, but also more touching and edgy than I would have thought. The closest I can get to describing it is like a cross between The Full Monty, Last of the Summer Wine and ITV drama premieres! A wonderfully cosy Sunday night movie, which I highly recommend!