The Yorkshire hamlet of Knapely will never be quite the same as it was before twelve courageous matrons decided to take it all off. Calendar Girls relates the true story of Chris (Helen Mirren) and her partners in crime, the virtuous ladies of the Women's Institute of Knapely. The ladies had been producing a calendar each year to raise money for the Leukemia Research foundation.

This year, the calendar will offer a lot less than the usual scenes of churchyards or winsome puppies. Oh they'll be flogging their jams and cakes this year, but the stalwart matrons have got something up their sleeves, Why not put themselves on display instead?

The movie is as much about the making of the calendar, as it is about the aftermath. Though this is a true story about a group of indomitable women, one could almost watch this film for the scenery alone. Each frame of the seductively beautiful hills and dales of the Yorkshire countryside is worth a calendar page of its own.

The story gets off to a good start and before you know it, you are caught in its vortex. The story isn't complex or deep in any way, but its simple truths ring through with clarity. This is a very humorous, yet oddly poignant film. Employing wry British humor, this comedy is a send-up of prudishness, vanity and Hollywood.

The cast put in solid performances. As the spunky Chris, Dame Helen Mirren is the most visible of the ladies, and she's a delight to watch. The viewer is easily seduced by the sense of fun and camaraderie shared by the cast. You'd almost think they had as much fun as the original group of ladies when they filmed this one. It might almost be in the tradition of The Full Monty, but this one's even better.

The movie isn't all sweetness and tights. The characters are not without trials or conflicts arising amongst themselves. The script manages the difficult balance of showing these scenes without allowing them to become trite or maudlin, thus destroying the overall lightness of the film.


Is It Worth the Bother of Renting?

This one is certainly worth a couple of hours of your time to see. Due to its, ahem, mature content, I'd keep it away from young children.


Calendar Girls



Thanks to Sue, for challenging me to write a movie review or three. More to come...



Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: None of the Above