 Movie
Reviews
with Evelyn Gough
Calendar Girls (PG)
Directed by Nigel Cole
 Actresses Helen Mirren (second from left) and Julie Walters (second from right) have some fun with Trisha Stewart (far left) and Angela Baker (far right) – the real women who inspired their characters.
Chris (Helen Mirren) and Annie (Julie Walters) are best friends. Every month they attend the W.I. (Women's Institute) meeting in their picturesque little Yorkshire village where they learn all there is to know about broccoli, tea towels and carpeting. They're like a pair of naughty schoolgirls sitting up the back and sniggering through the dullest of presentations.
When Annie discovers that her flower-loving husband John (John Alderton) has leukaemia, life is no longer quite so carefree and jolly. Suddenly it's an endless round of hospital visits, chemotherapy and many hours spent waiting in the visitors lounge on a sofa that has seen better days. Chris remains by her side, but is unsure about what solace she can provide.
When John loses his battle, Chris has the inspired idea about the annual WI calendar, which normally features bucolic Yorkshire scenes or the local churches. Chris wants to dedicate the calendar to John, with the money raised from its sale going towards purchasing a new lounge suite for the hospital.
All her friends in the WI think it's a great idea, until they hear what's involved... getting their gear off! Not that they will be naked, mind you. They'll be nude, thank you very much - there is a difference. Their husbands are bemused, Chris's teenage son is mortified and the W.I. isn't too thrilled about the whole thing either – there's a bit of a battle with the sniffy branch president, who's doing her best to undermine the project.
But thanks to some strategically placed teacakes, flowers and knitting plus the courage in several bottles of wine, the reluctant middle-aged women get their gear off and the photographs are taken and the calendar is underway. Will it be a success or will the girls lose their money and their dignity at the same time?
It seems like the latter until the media gets a sniff of a racy story and the girls are suddenly on a roller coaster ride of global media attention.
Inspired by a true story, Calendar Girls is a charming feel-good movie. It's chock full of Britain's best loved, and talented actresses, such as Annette Crosbie, Geraldine James, Penelope Witton and Celia Imrie. This tale of friendship and lost love is both very funny and very touching and it's so delightfully English as well.
And thankfully there's not a collagen implant, botox injection or tummy tuck to be seen. So ok, things may sag a little here and there... unlike the story, which is full of great one-liners and is a guaranteed heart-warmer. As a celebration of life, Calendar Girls is a winner.
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