juliette towhidi

I resisted this film for quite some time. I really didn't think I would be interested in the story - based on a true one - of twelve middle-aged WI members who posed nude for a calendar. Yet several people recommended it highly to me, so eventually I put it on my wishlist, and watched it last night.

It's a delightful story, which I felt drawn into right from the beginning. The nude posing is very tastefully done, and while the making and selling of the calendar is obviously a significant part of the film, it's not all. We meet the characters at the beginning, in particular the feisty Chris (Helen Mirren) and her close friend Annie (Julie Walters) who sees her husband suffering in hospital. Both are excellent in the roles. There's some humour, and there are moments of sadness, yet without either being overdone.

All in all, I thought it a wonderful film; it's one I can see myself watching again regularly, and that's pretty unusual for me!

Latest longer review: https://suesdvdreviews.blogspot.com/2019/07/calendar-girls-helen-mirren-julie-wa...… (mehr)

A very enjoyable - if tense at times- mini-series, with the authentic settings and costumes I've come to expect from BBC period dramas. It's a kind of sequel to 'Pride and Prejudice', based on the book of the same name by PD James. It's not Austen, but that doesn't much matter. It's a cleverly done story, leaving us guessing until near the very tense ending.

My only slight complaint is that Lizzie really doesn't ring true, although the actress does well; I had to imagine her a different kind of person to Austen's Lizzie Bennett. Lydia, on the other hand, is perfectly cast, and we particularly enjoyed Penelope Keith's brief cameo as Lady Catherine.

Definitely recommended if you don't mind 'fan fiction' of a classic book.

Longer review here: https://suesdvdreviews.blogspot.com/2022/01/death-comes-to-pemberley-tv-series.h...… (mehr)