what is shirley valentine REALLY about? - Shirley Valentine (1989) Discussion

[–] BabyFlan 19 years ago

I have always thought it's about being true to yourself and not allowing others to dictate your life. It seems as though Shirley has become old before her time and has lost touch with herself and "the girl that used to be me." Her holiday in Greece allows her to rediscover the spontaneous, fun-loving and happy person inside the dowdy housewife...she learns that she is still capable of having a blast instead of just sitting there watching everyone else living their (supposedly) glamourous and exciting lives.

So what do YOU think it's about?

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[–] Omarkhamp 19 years ago

isnt this a bit of a tardy question? i watched this when i was about 7 and i knew what it was about then. the message - dont waste time. if you want to do soemthing in life, do it. Dont wait around for things to happen and dont be pushed around by others. Overall enjoy yourself before its all too late.

if you like this, watch american beauty. its not that similar, just im sure you will like it

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[–] lenscap1 14 years ago

if you like this, watch american beauty. its not that similar, just im sure you will like it

This is in no way a snipe, but I can't ignore the above; what an odd thing to say on this board. I HATED American Beauty, so obvious (I know, I know, I'm the only person that feels this way lol) and LOVED Shirley Valentine!

"To me you are the teacher in a Charlie Brown cartoon"

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[–] cosmogirly 14 years ago

i hated american beauty but absolutely LOVED shirley valentine

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[–] CC1966 14 years ago

i love the line "i've not fallen in love with him...i've fallen in love with the idea of living." that to me seems to sum up the whole film.

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[–] jdown-1 14 years ago

That it's more fun to live in Greece than in the UK??

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[–] LittleMissMelissa 13 years ago

No one nation is any more fun than the other as it depends on what the individual wants. I prefer winter over summer so Greece would be more fun to you than perhaps me? I prefer cities as well so I'd probably try Athens rather than the beach resorts. I would like an opportunity to travel there as it looks interesting but it's what you make it and what you want. I think that the film was shot really beautifully in Greece. I think Shirley just benefited from a different culture, change of scenery (anywhere can get you down if you get stuck in a rut) and not being bossed about! I think that she was reminded them that SHE was living as well and deserved happiness.
I also think that some people have this idea that you cannot go and enjoy yourself if you are of a certain age - i.e. travelling the world is only to be enjoyed by under 25s (mostly, students) and old age pensioners when they are no longer working again.
I remember watching it as a child as well (this film came out the year I was born) and enjoying it; watched it again just recently and enjoyed it again. Wonderful!

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[–] Fleurus 9 years ago

Melissa : it was a joke !

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[–] Fleurus 9 years ago

That it's more fun to live in Greece than in the UK??



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[–] Jack_rabbit 12 years ago

Its about how if a woman has an affair, its because her husband drove her to it.

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[–] ginda2000 11 years ago

Its about how if a woman has an affair, its because her husband drove her to it.

That's not what the film is about at all and if you think that you should re-watch it. Shirley has sex with Costas because she chooses to at that exact moment, it's not an affair because they only have sex once (as we know it) and she shows no real interest in him. She ultimately falls in love with life and the woman she truly is away from the home she has been stuck with for years.

In addition, the term 'Shirley Valentine' has now become synonamous with the idea of middle aged women running off abroad and having affairs, but the play isn't about that at all. If you watch the film again you'll notice Shirley isn't the only one who has lost herself, whilst Joe acts like a pig the point to his character is he is no different to Shirley. Whilst she has become a drudge, he has become a miserable old sod. The pivitol scene in the film is the one where they are painting (when younger) as it shows who they used to be. Therefore, despite his behaviour Joe has become as lost as Shirley has - neither are happy. She ultimately acknowledges it, whilst he is bitter and takes it out on his wife.

So back to the original post title, my view on Shirley Valentine is it's a film about how life happens without us knowing it and takes the true essence of who we are away. Before we know it life has past us by and we are slaves to whatever entitity controls us - Shirley's is Joe and Joe's is his work.

The message we are given is it's never too late to start living and stop just exisisting, the key to the story being about Shirley and Joe (and not just Shirley) is the final scene whereby he arrives and sits with her. The audience understands it's highly possible both of them will end up staying in Greece together.

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[–] Clothes-Off 11 years ago

It's all right there in the opening credits: "The Girl Used To Be Me"

The film is about a woman re-igniting the spark within herself that she feared she somehow allowed life to gradually snuff out. The turning point in the film is when her school rival runs into her and says, "Didn't you used to be Shirley Valentine?" She wonders if there's any hope for he and the "little life" she led following school.

The one-woman narration of the live stage production spells it out more clearly over the duration of the show. (There was a Chicago production starring Ellen Burstyn, later with Loretta Swit.)

Obviously, the film makes good use of scenery and other actors, but the nuances of the character's development are better grasped just hearing the story told and acted out by the individual (along with the audience's imaginations). I think this is the reason the film was not well received by those familiar with the play.

"Well, for once the rich white man is in control!" C. M. Burns

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