Calendar Girls Review
by Karina Montgomery (karina AT cinerina DOT com)December 22nd, 2003
Calendar Girls
Matinee
If you've seen the smile-inducing preview of this film, you have a very accurate sense of the tone and flavor of the full movie. The preview edits together some of the winningest bits, but thankfully, it doesn't give the store away. If you haven't seen the preview, imagine the gorgeous rolling hills of Yorkshire peppered with funny, outspoken middle aged ladies. They decide to make a calendar of them posing naked for a charity very close to their hearts, one of their husbands. Based on a true story, Calendar Girls is a testament to feisty women and the love they have for one another in friendship, and what they are willing to do in the name of kindness. Despite natural vanity and shyness, they do this project hoping to honor their late friend who inspired the calendar, as well as do something different than the boring calendars that make no money. The story is simple, but effective, and a pleasant and charming diversion.
It's surprising how much more nakedphobic these British matrons are than even their Puritan American counterparts - even their husbands had only seen fleeting glimpses of what they finally publish. The photo shoot makes Kathy Bates' much-hullaballooed hot tub scene look like Arsenic and Old Lace. The whole project progresses smoothly - obstacles are knocked out of the way with barely a hiccup. While there are some unexpected plot turns (if you didn't know the true story, which I did not), the general impression is "hey, that was easy!" But it's still a pleasure. Patrick Doyle's score is as bubbly and charming as the ladies themselves.
The main pleasure of the story is watching the women accept the project, embrace it, and then, embrace themselves as the babes they really are. The photos are great - they could easily sell the film's version of the calendar as well. It's not grrrl power, it's lady power - much sweeter and more self deprecating, less aggressive than the "up with women" angry chicks movement, but still, empowerment nonetheless. They accept their flaws and foibles rather than hiding them or being in denial of them. The cast, led by uber-babes Helen Mirren (we should all age so gracefully) and Julie Walters, is winsome and funny. No doubt some of the characters were fictionalized for laughs (and I believe I saw a disclaimer to that effect in the end credits) but the character palette is broad and enjoyable.
Calendar Girls has huge amounts of heart and many sweet laughs. You feel real affection for these ladies throughout the film, and no doubt, a surge of desire to buy their calendar as well, just to reward their sheer spunk. It's touching and funny and nice, it won't change your life, but it will make you feel nice.
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These reviews (c) 2003 Karina Montgomery. Please feel free to forward but credit the reviewer in the text. Thanks. You can check out previous reviews at:
http://www.cinerina.com and http://ofcs.rottentomatoes.com - the Online Film Critics Society http://www.hsbr.net/reviews/karina/listing.hsbr - Hollywood Stock Exchange Brokerage Resource
Originally posted in the rec.arts.movies.reviews newsgroup. Copyright belongs to original author unless otherwise stated. We take no responsibilities nor do we endorse the contents of this review.
