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Most Inspirational Travel Film

Shirley Valentine

Director: Lewis Gilbert
Screenplay: Willy Russell
Producer: Lewis Gilbert
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
UK release: 1989

Shirley Valentine: what's the story?
Shirley Valentine's life is a bit of a disappointment. Unappreciated, this Liverpool housewife's most interesting conversations are with the kitchen wall. After an argument with her husband Joe and a meeting with an old friend, Shirley allows herself to dream of a different life and when her friend Jane wins a trip for two to Greece, Shirley accepts an invitation to join her. Jane immediately dumps poor Shirley on arrival in Greece and Shirley has no choice but to make the best of things. Enter charming taverna patron Costas and the beginning of her reawakening …

Who's in Shirley Valentine?
Pauline Collins, Tom Conti and Joanna Lumley, plus Alison Steadman as Jane.

Where's Shirley Valentine set?
The Greek location is on the island of Mykonos, one of of the Cyclades islands in the Aegean Sea. The Manoulas Beach Hotel, located on Agios Ioannis beach, four kilometres from Mykonos town on the west side of the island, provides the hotel and beach backdrop.

What awards has Shirley Valentine won?
The film was nominated for two Oscars: Best Actress in a Leading Role for Pauline Collins and Best Music, Original Song. The film won a Bafta for Pauline Collins with nominations for Lewis Gilbert for Best Film and Willy Russell for Best Screenplay; at the British Comedy Awards the Film scooped Top Comedy Film.

What do the reviews say about Shirley Valentine?
Don Willmott, said: "...So think of Shirley Valentine as 'Educating Rita under the Tuscan Sun.' Women will enjoy it more than men, and older women will enjoy it more than younger women, but don't worry, Shirley has enough comic singers for everyone."