My father used to work in car sales when I was growing up, so I constantly saw Pirelli and Michelin calendars featuring scantily clad women—even the beer cans had them! The film begins with "Chris" (Helen Mirren) noticing one of these images in a garage, which sparks an idea. Her close friend "Annie" (Julie Walters) is grieving after the loss of her husband, "John" (John Alderton), to cancer, and they’re trying to ar…

I revisited this film not long ago, having seen it initially when it was first released, and it has stood up remarkably well over time, much like those women featured on the calendar itself. My wife and I are big fans of British television—as someone living in America—and we've encountered many of these actresses in other noteworthy roles. Calendar Girls brought to mind another enjoyable film, (Waking) Ned Devine.…

It's one of those films I saw years ago and decided to watch again not long ago, and my enjoyment was just as strong this time around. The film struck me as similar to Waking Ned Devine; it features clever, believable conversations and includes many performers who are more seasoned in their careers. While Calendar Girls has a greater emphasis on dramatic elements, it avoids becoming overly sentimental. I’m happ…

It's important to note a distinction: they are nude, not naked. After Annie Clarke’s husband dies from leukemia, her friend Chris suggests an unusual way to collect money for the hospital that treated him. Along with other members of the Knapely Women’s Institute, they decide to have their photos taken in the nude and sell them as a calendar! Inspired by a real event, and following the success of *The Full Mon…