Shirley Valentine is a truly heartwarming tale about a forty something housewife who has reached a point in her life where she has stagnated in a world of supermarket shopping and talking to the wall. She is captured perfectly by Pauline Collins who is comical as well as moving.
Her mundane life will surely strike a chord with many women and I would have to say that I feel the film would have more appeal for a female than a male.
The film opens in a typical suburban kitchen and we are introduced in turn to the people that have impacted on her life both past and present. She reflects with regret on the gradual decline of her relationship with her husband Joe. Joe has somewhere amongst the daily grind and the passing years, lost his sense of humour and in the words of his son Brian has become "bloody boring!"
We meet Shirleys' grown up children and as she herself descibes them, Milandra is a 'mare' and our Brian is a headcase. Both are living their own lives although there is a brief return to the nest by her selfish daughter.
Shirley is persuaded by her friend Jane (played by the brilliant Alison Steadman) to accompany her to Greece on a holiday won in a magazine competition. Although Shirley is initially hesitant about the reaction of Joe, there is a sense of a desperate need to reclaim her rapidly diminishing identity.
She recalls her disillusionment at school and is horrified to run into Marjorie Majors (played by super glam Joanna Lumley) However they spend a cosy, girly afternoon together drinking champagne and mourning the lost opportunity for a deep friendship. When they kiss goodbye, it is even harder for Shirley to return to her half life and the ensuing scene on the bus home would melt the coldest heart.
Still undecided right until the last moment as regards the Greek trip,she is finally spurred into action by the admiration of her neighbour Gillian who confesses that she considers Shirley to be marvellous (under the impression that dowdy Shirl is fleeing the country to be with her fictitious lover for a "fortnight of sun, sand, taramasalta and whatever else takes her fancy!"
We are then transported to Greece where Shirley Bradshaw reinvents herself as Shirley Valentine. We witness a woman blossom and warm the lives of those she encounters.
I won't spoil the ending just in case you have not caught this cracking film. Suffice to say, this film is warm and funny although tinged with sadness and rates amongst those I would willingly watch again and again.
The supporting cast is great although the Greek accent of Costas evidently amuses even Tom Conti who plays him!
The language and sexual references make this unsuitable viewing for younger family members but the subject matter would be unlikely to appeal in any case.
Open a box of chocs, grab a tissue and a glass of vino and allow yourself to be transported from mundane Liverpool to the breathtaking blue sea and skies of Mikonos!!