Calendar Girls
Based on a true story, Nigel Cole's CALENDAR GIRLS has a mix of comedy and heart-tugging emotion that compares with British comedies FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL and THE FULL MONTY. Annie (Julie Walters) and Chris (Helen Mirren), of bucolic Yorkshire, belong to the Women's Institute (WI), which preserves traditional homemaking practices. While they're just as dedicated as the other ladies in the group, Annie and Chris are adventurous personalities, and they poke fun at the WI's tedious lectures on broccoli and fabrics. In an effort to raise money for the local hospital while also spicing things up at the WI, the ladies decide to put a new spin on the WI calendar, which usually depicts landscapes or churches. The women will pose nude for the calendar while performing traditional activities like baking and gardening. It's no surprise that the finished calendar is a wild success, bringing the ladies instant notoriety and adoration.
Stellar talent carries the story, especially from glorious Mirren, who portrays yet another daring female character, as she did in past films like THE COOK, THE THIEF, HIS WIFE, AND HER LOVER. Staying true to the real-life story, the film closely matches the original calendar photos, and provides a funny, touching, uplifting tale.
Member Reviews
A very good movie for those seeking uplifting! - rackwick
Enjoyed this movie; well directed, produced, acted and scripted, it had a nice balance of the dark and the good sides of human nature, blurring the line between the 'real' characters and the professional actors.A very good cast chosen carefully to minimize the glamour and therefore keep the focus on the ordinary nature of these women engaged in an extraordinary and creative project. A triumph of the human spirit - perhaps a small one in a world with huge challenges, but a very good one! A good movie.Freedom of Expression - Yensid
This film was touching, heartwarming and humourous. I would recommend this if you want to be inspired or if you simply want to see a "feel good" kind of movie. These women dare to be different...to go against the traditions of their group and express themselves in ways they never thought they could or even would do. This was to pose "nude" in a calendar to raise money for a cause dear to their hearts. It took the courage of one women to entise the other eleven women to dare to go against the grain and free themselves of their inhabitions...to find their inner strength. We all need to find this self confidence within and not be afraid to reveal ourselves to other, just like these women did. On many levels this film inspires one to take a chance and lose your inhibitions(pose nude if you may) so that you can experience the art of really living!Real human drama - with a smile - BabyBoomer
This movie is light entertainment at it’s best. The script reaches it’s full potential through the very plausible depiction of characters thanks to some great acting. The location of the film for the most part is also very real and adds to the “whole" experience.
To some extent the atmosphere of the film is lost when the location shifts to Hollywood. This trailing part of the film does not add to the film (although it might be factually correct) and the film begins to drag a little. Perhaps a better ending would have been to simply have taken it to the point that the tickets arrived and the travel plans were made.
Well worth seeing!!
Member Reviews
Read All...
A very good movie for those seeking uplifting! - rackwick
Enjoyed this movie; well directed, produced, acted and scripted, it had a nice balance of the dark and the good sides of human nature, blurring the line between the 'real' characters and the professional actors.A very good cast chosen carefully to minimize ...Freedom of Expression - Yensid
This film was touching, heartwarming and humourous. I would recommend this if you want to be inspired or if you simply want to see a "feel good" kind of movie. These women dare to be different...to go against the traditions of their group and express themselves ...Real human drama - with a smile - BabyBoomer
This movie is light entertainment at it’s best. The script reaches it’s full potential through the very plausible depiction of characters thanks to some great acting. The location of the film for the most part is also very real and adds to the “whole" experience. ...