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Shirley Valentine

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02:52

Shirley Valentine

Name: Shirley Valentine
Director: Lewis Gilbert
Genre: Comedy, Romance, Drama
Released: 1989
Duration: 1 h 44 min
Cast: Pauline Collins, Tom Conti, Julia McKenzie, Alison Steadman, Joanna Lumley

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Comedy
Romance

1989
Lewis Gilbert
104 mins
15

Summary

Comedy written by Willy Russell from his own play, starring Pauline Collins and Tom Conti. Liverpool housewife Shirley leads a domestic existence of routine dullness. Her monosyllabic husband's only concern is to find his supper on the table on time - things are so bad, she confides in the kitchen wall. What she needs is a holiday; a place with sun, sand and sea, a place where she can fall in love with life.

IMDB

Review

A star rating of 4 out of 5.

Simon Rose

This is the movie that brought cinema stardom to Pauline Collins at an age when actresses are often resigned to sitcom suburbia. Collins's performance as the long-suffering housewife who decamps to a Greek island is quite sublime and carefully crafted. Willy Russell adapts from his own stage play, with director Lewis Gilbert retaining many of his theatrical devices - Shirley talking to the kitchen wall, for instance - while opening out the action to embrace a big-screen atmosphere. The supporting cast, particularly Bernard Hill as Collins's Neanderthal husband, is equally convincing, with only the hammy Tom Conti (glistening teeth and appalling accent) striking a momentary false note.

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7.3/10

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Cast

rolenameShirley ValentinePauline CollinsCostas CaldesTom ContiGillianJulia McKenzieJaneAlison SteadmanMarjorieJoanna LumleyHeadmistressSylvia SymsJoe BradshawBernard HillDougieGeorge CostiganJeanetteAnna KeaveneyMilandraTracie Bennett SydneyKen SharrockThelmaKaren CraigBrianGareth Jefferson