Shirley Valentine

[vivariumvivariumsvivaria]

How many of us are watching Channel 5 and have an urge to go to Greece?

It came out when I was a teen. She is a lesson in emotional load management.

This film is incredible!! But how old did she seam at 42!

I started out as Educating Rita and ended up as Shirley Valentine before Greece.
Onwards and upwards though, this year, or definately next year, maybe.

I have watched is many times- love it! Free on youtube.

Haven’t watched it for years but the “egg and chips? We don’t have egg and chips on a Tuesday” scene stuck with me.

The monotony of wifedom portrayed perfectly.

I had a SV weekend when I separated from my husband. On my own, went away, met a man. Was joyous frivolity but also life changing.

I absolutely love this film !
Particularly when she feeds the vegetarian blood hound his steak 🥩

He doesn't say "egg and chips," though does he, he says "chips and egg." Is that a Liverpool thing? I have never heard it said that way round in real life and it always bothers me.

I have got the play text of Educating Rita and Willy Russell writes in the introduction about how he started again, going to College as an adult. I did the similar (although have done bugger all with my life since) and it really resonated with me. I remember the euphoria of my first day at university aged 31 so well, it was like : Right. At last I am here where I should have been aged 18. Back on track!

Me! And the story does kind of resonate now whereas the last time I saw it i was a teen (at cinema).

One of my favourite films. Brilliant screenplay and brilliantly acted.

But yes, I'm 42 and watching it when I was younger, it seemed that 42 was middle aged. I suppose it seemed so in the 80s but not at all now.

And going back even further, thinking of my Grans wedding photos from the 50s, the bride and grooms parents must have only been in their 40s but looked and dressed much, much older.

i bloody love that film

i'm 1 year older than shirley. but she had a grown up daughter, I still have young and very dependent children. no solo buggering off to Greece for me for a bit. it's on the to do list though

Bugger, I didn’t realise it was on. I love that film. I remember my mum introducing it to me when I was a teenager. I didn’t understand the fact that it probably resonated with her so much then.

Fantastic film. I dont think its dated.
Many women with kids still face these attitudes and limitations to some degree. Even working in professional roles, they still come home to it!

I'm 42 but think she looked well older than me. My mum did too at 42 but it was the same permy hair do and clothes that did that.

He doesn't say "egg and chips," though does he, he says "chips and egg." Is that a Liverpool thing? I have never heard it said that way round in real life and it always bothers me

That's because the egg is the side dish and the chips are the main portion of food.
So chips and egg. Or chips and beans.

If there was a meat product on the plate, that would take priority as the main and the chips become the side dish.
So sausage and chips, chicken nuggets and chips etc. Peas or beans can than be added to the end if required.

I'm in my 50s and was probably in my 20s when this first came out. I loved it but like others here, now find myself with a similar life, although not so extreme. I still remember the theme tune in my head - was it The Girl that Used to Be Me or the Woman that Used to Be Me? And find myself humming it......

A very clever film. Oh to be in Greece now.....

@IdblowJonSnow

Fantastic film. I dont think its dated. Many women with kids still face these attitudes and limitations to some degree. Even working in professional roles, they still come home to it!

This. Completely. The physical and mental burden is overwhelming.

Seen it lots of times and watched half of it last night, it made me laugh as I've not seen it for years. I remember when I was young I saw her as really old, but now I'm approaching her Shirley age, I think she looked bloody fab, really radiant!

@vivariumvivariumsvivaria

Splash!

It's so brilliantly written.

And I've never had a shag on a boat. Which seems a bit remiss, actually.

One for the bucket list I think 😉

Choked up at the bit where Shirley says, 'I've led such a little life.'

My favourite line.

Him: You are going mad you are.

Shirley Valentine: Oh I do hope so, I always wanted to travel.

@whatsnewpussyhat that's not the case because he is expecting Chips and Steak and gets Chips and Egg.

It is in my family

Love that film ❤️❤️❤️

And yes, I'm shocked that she's now younger than me

I think she was 49, I looked it up as I thought Christ I'm about her age now! Great film (except the annoying looking at the camera thing, that always irritates me in films!)

She states in the film that the character is 42.

Shirley Valentine and Educating Rita are just fabulous.

Took my mum to see SV at the theatre a couple of years ago as we loved the film. It was great. Love Willy Russell.