Calendar Girls (DVD, 2004)

"Calendar Girls" is an excellent movie, based on a real life situation in northern England, where a handful of women from a ladies' group decide to fund raise for cancer in a most unusual way.... by creating a soft-porn calendar featuring middle-aged women (and beyond). The creation of the calendar led to controversy within their own community, grew beyond anyone's wildest expectations, and created international attention. I would rate this movie 14A, and there are no explicit scenes in it that would be inappropriate for viewers. Highly enjoyable, and very funny! Bravo to all the "CALENDAR GIRLS" who have inspired those of us who are 50-something to feel great and eternally sexy!

I first saw this movie on cable, and had to buy it. It is a wonderful comedy, with some emotional parts too. My mother and my aunt both have borrowed it.

I don't think "Calender Girls" got ever got the credit it deserved. The movie had all the important elements to make it a big hit. It was funny, sad, daring, creative, unique, a true story, and it had partial nudity. What was missing was special effects, improbable story lines, obnoxious characters and expensive sets, all things I do well without. Helen Mirren and Julie Walters were fantastic and exuded beauty that transcends beyond age. This is an uplifting movie that I first saw on cable but then bought to keep in my collection. It's not just for baby boomers and above, almost any age (13+) would enjoy it too. My twelve year old, a boy, roars with belly laughter at the movie's most famous line, "I think we're going to need significantly bigger buns."
This is a must-see for anyone who has ever truly loved a woman. "Calendar Girls" makes a great Mother's Day gift too!

'Calendar Girls' grabs you right away like the smell of an apple pie cooling on a window sill. It is warm, sweet and funny! Several members of the Womens Club in the town of Knapely are about to spice up their annual calendar by appearing naked! Helen Mirren is the instigator and how she convinces the other women to turn up the heat in the kitchen is a wonderful example of turning tragedy into triumph with a twist.

The fact that they are all of a "certain age" makes for some poignant and entertaining moments. I found the inside look into the lives of the women of the Yorkshire Dales fascinating. The countryside itself has a starring role. You don't often need the word "pluck" anymore as a descriptor, but it is aptly used here. These women have it!

It is inspiring and ordinary at the same time. The direction makes the most of the characters each and every second. Some have just a few seconds on the screen but become instantly unforgettable. You come away feeling that you know them and wish they were your friends.

There are a few gaffes (have fun finding them) and some of the villains are a bit overdone. The bits involving Rod and Jem Harper, the husband and son of Chris (Helen Mirren) slow the pace but can provide time for making some popcorn mid movie.

If you like your movies to involve your emotions and make you feel good about yourself, this is a good choice. Enjoy!

This is a funny movie set in England , there is nothing I did not like about this movie .It was all the more enjoyable because it was a true story.It depicts typical country life in a northern english village, through the death of a loved one a local womens club band together to shoot a nude calendar. The women are all middleaged and there are concerns regarding their bodies and the finished calendar, very tastefully done...enjoyed it!

Based on a true story, this delightful film will make you laugh, cry, and leave you wishing for more! The premise is a simple story about a group of ordinary women who want to do good by raising money for a charitable cause through their women's club. One idea at first seems so absurd it is instantly rejected - until a few members give it some serious thought. As the idea grows, the members in favor of it face opposition by their organization and find themselves trying win necessary approval while struggling internally to keep their commitment to the cause.
As the women work through the project, they learn a great deal about themselves, their relationships, and the unexpected effect the end result has on many others.
This story is about love, friendship, and the beauty of women 40-plus. It is beautifully shot and the well-written script is brilliantly acted by an amazing cast.
It is a witty, thoroughly enjoyable film that doesn't need fancy special effects or profanity to get its point across.
I bought this film to replace my original copy that I gave to a friend who was visiting from another state. She loved it so much that I wanted to buy her one locally, but only the latest releases seem to be available in the stores! I knew I could find what I was looking for on eBay!