Calendar Girls (UK)
They dropped everything for a good cause
Certificate: 12
Running Time: 105 mins
Retail Price: £19.99
Release Date:
Content Type: Movie
Synopsis:
When twelve extraordinary members of the Women`s Institute decide they need to find a new way to raise money for a very worthy cause, they turn to their annual calendar. Not wanting to divorce themselves from the traditional photographs, they give the calendar a very untraditional twist. Behind the baked goods, the apple pressing and the flower arrangements are the women completely nude! This heartfelt story will have you laughing and crying at the same time.
Special Features:
Deleted scenes. The Naked Truth. Creating The Calendar.
Video Tracks:
Widescreen Anamorphic 2.35:1
Audio Tracks:
Dolby Digital 5.1 English
Subtitle Tracks:
English
CC: English
Directed By:
Nigel Cole
Written By:
Juliette Towhidi
Tim Firth
Starring:
Celia Imrie
Annette Crosbie
Linda Bassett
John Alderton
Julie Walters
Helen Mirren
Casting By:
Gail Stevens
Soundtrack By:
Patrick Doyle
Director of Photography:
Ashley Rowe
Oliver Curtis
Editor:
Michael Parker
Costume Designer:
Frances Tempest
Production Designer:
Martin Childs
Producer:
Suzanne Mackie
Steve Clark-Hall
Nick Barton
Distributor:
Touchstone Pictures
Your Opinions and Comments
It was on sale in Safeway, we didn`t get to see it at the cinema, So why not!
The Plot
I`m sure everyones heard of the plot. Its kind of like The Full Monty by girls. Did I say girls, well mature women actually.
A Yorkshire branch of the womens institute, where the merits of jam making, the uses of brocolli and other such riveting topics are on the agenda.
Following the death of one of their members husbands from cancer, a slightly loony sub-fringe decides that rather than scenes of the local churches adorning this years calendar, they will kick out against the established order and show a variety of WI activities, but with the models posing nude. Nude in a tasteful way with all rude bits hidden. :)
All in a good cause, to raise money for cancer relief.
Naturally there are many more rather staid members who suggest this is not the done thing.
The film covers the making of the calendar.
From its birth, fighting against the main WI faction that still wants views of churches.
Its struggle to production, and getting a suitable photographer, and suitable poses.
Through getting approval from the senior WI people and a sponsor for printing.
It then follows its unexpected success and the implications for the women.
An excellent cast, headed by Julie Walters and Helen Mirren together with some other well known faces (and less well know bodies!).
The Visuals/Audio
Visuals are fairly good.
The sound although done in 5.1 audio, I didn`t really notice any use of it. Its mostly dialogue of course.
The Extras
There are a few deleted scenes. They are interesting to watch but are probably as well left out.
The naked truth is a brief synopsis of the original calender and the women who featured in it.
Its interesting to see the real life people who brought it about.
Creating the calendar is about the actresses bringing the script to life.
Again quite interesting as most of them hadn`t done much nude work before, and some of them are getting on a bit! All very interesting and much better than the usual "making of" junk.
Summary
Quite an enjoyable film. Worth a watch. A feel-good movie to while away an evening.