sunday night movie
will on March 30th, 2009
last night, i took in a delightful little movie by the name of “calendar girls.” it stars the wonderfully talented helen mirren, julie walters, and a host of other british actresses who you more than likely know by face only and not by name (or maybe that’s just me). i first came across “calendar girls” as a trailer in a movie i netflixed about a week ago- apparently, it came out in 2003. i absolutely LOVE movies set in brittain (it’s the scenery and accents), and the movie itself seemed cute as all get out, so i immediately added it to my queue. i’m happy to say i was not disappointed.
helen and julie play two free spirited women living in napley, england who belong to a fund raising social group of middle-aged housewives called “the women’s institute.” after losing her husband to leukemia, julie’s character, annie, decides she wants to do something for the cause- specifically, to better the hospital’s “relatives room” in which she spent many a day and night supporting her husband. as the women’s institute’s annual calendar fundraiser approaches, helen’s character, chris, becomes inspired by an erotically suggestive calendar hanging in a local auto shop, and comes up with the idea to do a similar calendar with the members of the group to raise funds for annie’s cause. i won’t give away the rest of the movie, but what ensues is an hour and a half of witty and sweet hilarity!
i really enjoyed this movie. i laughed and smiled (in my sangria-drunken stupor) almost the entire way through. what touched me so was the sense of aliveness and excitement that entered into and spiced up these women’s otherwise mundane lives by way of posing nude for a calendar. it was also a very jovial reminder that you’re never to old to try something new; and that sometimes taking a risk and allowing opportunities for growth to enter your life can not only be fruitful, but extremely fun as well. especially when you have the support of your friends to keep you going and root you on. given what i’ve been going through recently as far as taking risks and trying new things in my own life are concerned, i couldn’t have come across this flick at a more perfect time.
i highly recommend adding “calendar girls” to your netflix or movie rental queue. it’s light-hearted, fun, and will leave you feeling good about life and inspired to take a fruitful risk of your very own. two thumbs up! 
