Shakamaker
09-28-2003, 10:44 PM
I thought I'd been misled by the title, when I was offered a lap blanket by the usher. When I asked her whether she meant a 'wanky-blanky', her horrified look heightened my fears. My concerns were founded, as I took my seat between a couple of little old ladies: This wasn't going to be a film about sexy young naked females frottering their bonnets all sexy like. This was going to be about droopy tits and stretchy bits.
Best mates Chris Harper (Helen Mirren) and Annie Clarke (Julie Walters) lead a bunch of old dears, who pose nude for their local Women's Institute annual calendar, to raise money for leukaemia research, after the disease kills Annie's husband.
The typically funny moments in this warm little film revolve around these conservative country lasses overcoming their inhibitions, and in the reactions of their loved ones. There are some memorable scenes.
It's not all droopy tits and stretchy bits on glossy print. The comedy/drama also exhibits the affect of the calendar's unexpected publicity on it's models, explores it's impact on the lives of their loved ones, and raises the question as to why some of the ladies actually participated in the first place. It's easy to lose track of things in your autumn years, you see.
The scene when the true purpose of the calendar is lost amidst the ugliness of exploitation and greed, is poignant and effective.
The beautiful Yorkshire countryside is enough of a reason for this to be on the big screen. Besides, old dears just love going to the pictures, don't they?
Worth a watch, but you'll probably only find matinee sessions. ;)
Best mates Chris Harper (Helen Mirren) and Annie Clarke (Julie Walters) lead a bunch of old dears, who pose nude for their local Women's Institute annual calendar, to raise money for leukaemia research, after the disease kills Annie's husband.
The typically funny moments in this warm little film revolve around these conservative country lasses overcoming their inhibitions, and in the reactions of their loved ones. There are some memorable scenes.
It's not all droopy tits and stretchy bits on glossy print. The comedy/drama also exhibits the affect of the calendar's unexpected publicity on it's models, explores it's impact on the lives of their loved ones, and raises the question as to why some of the ladies actually participated in the first place. It's easy to lose track of things in your autumn years, you see.
The scene when the true purpose of the calendar is lost amidst the ugliness of exploitation and greed, is poignant and effective.
The beautiful Yorkshire countryside is enough of a reason for this to be on the big screen. Besides, old dears just love going to the pictures, don't they?
Worth a watch, but you'll probably only find matinee sessions. ;)