Review of Shirley Valentine (1989) by Christopher G — 07 Feb 2013

Directed by Lewis Gilbert (Alfie (1966), You Only Live Twice (1967) and Educating Rita (1983)), and adapted by Willy Russell from his own play, which had been a hit in the West End and on Broadway, when Gilbert was offered the film, Paramount wanted a big name, yet Gilbert and Russell fought to have Pauline Collins, who originated the role on stage in the film, they got her, and it's a brilliant performance in this funny and entertaining film.

In Liverpool, middle-aged housewife Shirley Valentine-Bradshaw (Collins) is stuck in a rut, making egg and chip suppers for her husband Joe (Bernard Hill), she looks back on her life, and how she had good aspirations but non of them ever came to fruition, now she's stuck in a boring daily routine.

However, her friend Gillian (Julia McKenzie) offers her the chance to get away from it all, and go on holiday to Greece. She goes, without telling Joe, and immediately feels at home, and gets into a romance with local restaurant owner Carlos (Tom Conti) who seems to embody everything that Shirley has wanted out of life, then she doesn't want to come back.

It's a funny film with some great performances and some cameos along the way. Collins is brilliant as the titular housewife who wants excitement in her life, and Gilbert brilliantly constrasts rainy Liverpool with the sun-soaked beauty of Greece.