Rating: 
Summary: Loved it!
Review: The film is based on the true story of the women of the Rylstone Women's Institute in North Yorkshire, England. Tired of having the same boring speakers (who delve into the fascinating world of rag rugs, or the different species of broccoli), member Annie (Julie Walters, "Billy Elliot") asks her husband John, an avid horticulturist, to speak at the institute. John, however, is battling luekemia, and before he can do his speech, he passes away. Annie and longtime pal Chris (Helen Mirren of "Gosford Park") decided to raise money to replace the hideously uncomfortable sofa in the relatives room of the hospital wing John was treated at. But another WI calendar featuring jams, flowers, or the countryside? That barely raised 75 pounds the previous year! Something in John's WI speech motivates Chris; "The flowers of Yorkshire are like the women of Yorkshire", he wrote. "In each phase of their lives, they become more radiant". This impowers Chris and Annie to recruit 10 more WI members to strip down to the buff and pose for a professional photographer. The pictures turn out great, but the girls face trouble when their local WI branch president wants to put a stop to what she feels is a scandalous idea. Chris and Annie have to fight the head WI counsel, and each other, as their popularity grows. They go from Yorkshire, to the Jay Leno show in L.A. (where they lounge by their hotel pool with Anthrax!), and back again. But the huge success of the calendar begins to distract Chris from her family responsibilities, and threatens to put up a hedge between her and Annie. Helen Mirren gives a wonderful performance, and is well deserving of the Golden Globe she has been nominated for. A film not to be missed. For those who whine about having to see women over 50 in the nude, you've missed the point. Personally, I think these women look pretty darn great for their age!
Rating:
Summary: "Nude; NOT naked!"
Review: Calendar Girls is a sweet and uplifting British comedy based on a true story. Set in the picturesque village of Napely, we meet 50-something best friends Chris (Helen Miren) and Annie (Julie Walters). They belong to the local Women's Institute, which is staid and traditional, and to them, boring and silly. (Their annual fund-raising event is selling a calendar with photos of jams and flowers.) When Annie's beloved husband dies from cancer, some of the club members decide to raise money for a new sofa in the hospital waiting room by selling a calendar featuring themselves in the (gasp!) nude. Helen Miren is great as the feisty and opinionated Chris, whose involvement alienates her family. Julie Walters is very likeable and sympathetic as the new widow. Ciaran Hinds, who has starred in many period films, has a small but good role as Chris' husband. Most of the movie is beautifully photographed in rural England and it is simply idyllic. This is in sharp contrast to the unsavory scenes filmed in Hollywood (when the ladies appear on The Tonight Show.) The story is heartwarming, but avoids being syrupy. The nude scenes are tastefully done, and played for laughs, as one would expect. The real calendar, by the way, has so far raised $1.6M for a new cancer hospital wing (and the new sofa). I heartily recommend this refreshing and well-made comedy.
Rating: 
Summary: Very Cute and Enjoyable
Review: This movie was funny, and emotionally moving at the same time. The characters in the movie are just adorable. To see women at this age, with this much spunk is an inspiration. And I understand it is based on a true story.
Its not often that you get to see a fun movie like this with actors who are up there in years. But I am glad they made it. It definatley shows what people can do if they are willing to take chances. An absolute "must see".
Rating:
Summary: Gives Credit Where Credit's Due
Review: I am writing this review after only recently seeing this film in the theatre and having read no other reviews or history of it. I was not sure whether the setting was in Great Britain or Ireland although it does appear to have been filmed almost entirely on location in the British isles, with the exception of the Hollywood, California scenes towards the end of the movie. The scripting of the film is not typical Hollywood fare. It has all the sense of British writing and humor, which helps make this film an immense success in my book. It is laced with a balance of sophisticated wit and cheap humor. The plot is slow but well justified since it gives way to excellent development of the main characters. The audience, even an American one, can identify with each of them and with the small-town issues they face. In a nutshell, a women's club is gathering to discuss what will be the promotional thrust of their organization for the coming year. The husband of one of the main characters is near death with cancer. While in the waiting room of a rural hospital the women notice how run-down the waiting room furniture is and the overall condition of the hospital. They decide to raise funds for new hospital furniture by finding sponsors for a homemade calendar. But there's a wild twist...twelve of the women, all middle-aged or elderly, decide to pose nude for the calendar. This sends the head of their organization and many of its members into outrage, but the women press forward and do it anyway. What follows is unexpected success and popularity not only in England, but also in the United States where the women are invited to meet with Jay Leno on The Tonight Show. Alas success does come with a price and the women are faced with moral and family dilemas which are not easily put to rest. Calendar Girls is a fun romantic celebration of middle aged women, their contirbutions as wives, mothers, and vital contributing members of their communities, and also a celebration of their beauty. This film is not for everyone! Not because of graphic depictions (there really are none) but because of the mature adult subject matter which is not likely to intrigue anyone but mature, cultured adults with a few years under their belt. Younger audiences who are interested in foreign films and artful dramas are also likely to enjoy Calendar Girls. If, however, you are looking for a nudie-movie look somewhere else. You will be sorely disappointed. I, however, will grab this disc quick and store it next to my treasured "Amelie" disc. Mature ladies, be proud of who you are and of your timeless beauty. This mid-thirties male appreciates you and I think you will appreciate this movie!
Rating:
Summary: A Gem
Review: What is it about the English and their comedy? What makes it superior to what we produce in America? Great writing, great directing, and great acting are the answer. Not to say that we here in the United States don't turn out some wonderful comedies. We do, such wonderful works as "Something's Got To Give", and "Bullets Over Broadway" and "Hairspray" come to mind, but there is a little magic in the British that we lack.
"Calendar Girls" is a gem of a movie chock full of truth, humor, tragedy and triumph. Based on a true story of a group of ladies in the country wide women's group The W.I. who when tragedy strikes one of them decide to raise money for a charity by posing naked, oh sorry, nude for a W.I. calendar. It is all a perfect mix of drama and sidesplitting high comedy mixed up into taste buns that are just the right size.
Helen Murrin, who one of the U.K.'s most impressive actress, heads the wonderful cast. She is a pure delight as we watch her lead the ladies through the process from idea to stardom. She has such a wonderful way of listening and letting us in on it. She is a master of accents as well. One only need compare this performance with her "Roman Spring Of Mrs. Stone" to see what I mean. She is a joy to watch and a treasure for us all to enjoy. Her best friend is played by the equally talented Julie Walters who turns in a pearl of a performance. She too is a master of the craft of acting for the screen. In her sweet careworn face we witness the love and care with which she gives us her character. The entire supporting cast is a delight to watch as well. I would love to single them all out but I will leave their charms for you to discover on your own.
On The DVD are a couple of mini-documentaries about the real Calendar Girls. These are well worth watching after you see the film and round out the whole affair perfectly.
The wonderful script is by Tim Firth and Juliette Towhidi and in the hands of director Nigel Cole it sparkles like a diamond.
Rating:
Summary: Hooray! A movie where 50-somethings don't just "dissappear!"
Review: I am finding whenever this movie, Calendar Girls, is being discussed, there is no middle ground opinion wise-- you either loved it or you hated it. For those who loved it, bravo and hurry up and buy this DVD. For those who "hated" the concept or the movie, Calendar Girls, I recommend you watch it again and take the blinders off this time around! You may actually learn something and enjoy it in the process. To dismiss this movie as just another "chick's movie" is to miss out on a movie that is making a very powerful statement on what can be done when women of "certain age" set their minds to it. The fact that this group of plucky ladies managed to raise over a million dollars for leukemia research is an awesome thing in itself, but also that they are able to show that older nudity can be beautiful as well. Forget all that "MILF" crap..."nude" is definitely better and more dignified than mere "naked!" This wonderful film and the actors in it are leading the way for those of us who are venturing into midlife to look at our selves, our bodies, our goals in different and more positive ways. I agree with what "John Clark" says about we older women and sunflowers: the final stage IS the most glorious! And like sunflowers, it is time that we stand tall and proud and "strut our stuff" wrinkles, cellute and all...both on film and in real life. Most importantly, I am pleased to see that there are more films being produced that don't allow women over 40 to just "disappear." We don't disappear in real life, so why should we "just go away" on film? I, for one, am happy to see Julie Walters and Helen Mirren starring in this flick. I think they do an excellent job of throwing off the stereotype of the "disappearing, uninteresting stodgy 50-something" and I am especially pleased that they are not trying to look like 50 going on 21. Not every is Joan Collins nor wants to be like her. One warning though: after seeing this movie you'll walk around speaking with a Yorkshire accent and start looking up phone numbers for "glamour photographers" LOL...no seriously, watch it, buy it (and the calendar, too!)
Rating:
Summary: Golden Girls with Iron Fists
Review: This was a delightful movie! Based on the assumption that an outrageous act was set in motion to achieve a humanistic, altruistic goal, the antics that these women participate in are very entertaining.
This picture truely represents modern older women at their best. Courageously, they develope a funny, outlandish and avant gard plan to reach a goal which is selfless and humane.
Helen Mirren, best known as a tough minded British detective working the ranks in a "males world" could not have been better. The other actressess add their own special quality and character to this film.
This film is not intense or intellectual. It's statement is pure and uncomplicated. The story line is easy enough to follow and is just plain fun to watch! Like fine wine, women become more valuable with age.
Simply a good"kick back and enjoy" sort of flick!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Only good for a rental
Review: My grandmother actually wanted too see this film so I went along with it but I really couldn't relate too the entire plot. It had a few funny and heartwarming moments. But, don't buy it.
Rating:
Summary: Artistic, not 'dirty;' nude, not naked; sweet, not syrupy.
Review: Altered slightly for maximal cinema effect, Calendar Girls tells the now well-known story of some rural British housewives who made a girly calendar (instead of a calendar with tea towels or flowers or cats) as their annual fundraiser. Annie's husband died of cancer, and her friend Chris (can Helen Mirren do anything less than wonderfully??) is determined to raise money for the hospital where he was treated.
There are some overplayed spots (the woman whose husband was obviously cheating on her from the beginning of the movie, and her reaction), some underplayed spots (the resolution of Chris's husband and teenage son's reactions to her sudden fame/notoriety), and some that feel a fit forced (the wedge that fame drives between Annie and Chris), but for the most part the film treads the line between sweet and treacly with a fine and humorous hand.
Besides the lovely B/W photos (with just the splash of a sunflower in each shot) of the women and the heartwarming storyline itself, there's the lovely English countryside to enjoy. Definitely worth watching.
Rating: 
Summary: Blame my wife for this review
Review: (...)
The main plot is about a woman and her dead husband, which she wants to have a leather couch at the local hospital for people to feel comfortable while their husband, wife, first of kin, aunt, step cousin, neighborhood whino, etc., oh, and also in memory of him. Don't know why she picked a leather couch (I must have dozed off or took an extended bathroom break).
Anyway, simple enough plot, but for God's sake it took forever to go through the basic formula of jealousy, joy, loss, etc. Who didn't see the wife's husband cheating on her? I mean c'mon. She was definitely no milf. It was easy to see why he didn't want some of that.
Anyway, if you are a husband, boyfriend, uncle, grandparent, or any other male species. Make sure you stay away from this movie. Otherwise, you are in for a long night at home watching a chick flick. Don't say I didn't warn you. Of course if you play for the other team. You might actually like this movie.
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