Girls' Night

Though we have seen many such films before, in 'Girl's Night', director Hurran and TV writer Mellor combine several ideas such as financial trouble, sickness, work in a factory, secrets, Las Vegas, marriage, family and of course love and friendship. Though it may seem like too many ideas, it comes together beautifully, resulting in a powerful ending. What makes the film strong is the natural performances by Julie Walters and Brenda Blethyn. Walters shows the growth of her character with élan while Blethyn, though her role is a bit clichéd, plays her part with grace. Their friendship looks very real thanks to the great chemistry between these two terrific actresses. I also liked the sudden shift in location from England to Las Vegas and the contrast between the two cities. The introduction of Kristofferson's character comes as a pleasant surprise and the desert scene that follows brings some colour. I also like how comedy was used in a very subtle way. However, next to being predictable, it is a very sentimental film (which isn't hard to figure given the core subject matter) and in parts resembles a disease-of-the-week TV movie. The supporting cast, that includes some popular names, is wasted. What really elevates it is the strong performances of the two leads. All the moments with Blethyn and Walters and the ending when Walters's character comes to a realization are what make 'Girl's Night' worth the watch.

40-year best friends, co-workers and sisters-in-law, make it out of their British working class neighborhood for a fantasy trip to Las Vegas, tempered by the fact that one of them is dying. Director Nick Hurran and writer Kay Mellor combine quite a number of different ingredients here (including illness, men-vs.-women, factory life, family problems, financial windfalls, travelogue and lovestruck cowboys); and yet, despite some missteps, this weeper from the UK is a worthwhile journey anchored by terrific performances. Playing the firebrand and ill-tempered man-chaser, Julie Walters tones down her sometimes-brash personality and has several beautifully realized moments. As her "mate", Brenda Blethyn juggles the more standardized clichés of a character with a limited amount of time left (she's brave, she glows, she's suddenly strong and charts her own course); however, Blethyn is very engaging and works so naturally and easily with Walters that their friendship strikes nary a false note. Hurran's dreamy framing of this story, with a puzzling introduction, may put some viewers off, but those who stick with it will find a rewarding drama about friendship and love. These themes have been touched on before in films--and true, there isn't much originality or surprises in Mellor's script--yet the bumps in the road are actually rather endearing, and by the end of "Girls' Night" I was moved by the thoughtfully worked-out transition of the plotting. It's a minor gem. *** from ****

Girl's Night is a bit sentimental for my taste and there were fewer funny lines than I expected but the performances are the thing and both "girls" are superb and great foils for one another.I particularly enjoyed the Las Vegas section as I was there last year so it all came back.

I love this film and have been searching for a copy for years. it shows a real gritty interpretation of Northan British working class life. I viewed this film with no idea what it was about and have to say it will one day be part of my permanent film collection. If you are British or want a good depiction of Britain's ordinary Northerners this is a great movie. I will admit that a critic or someone who is going to pull it apart, there will be short comings. However as a wonderfully atmospheric and moving all round piece it is just truly splendid, Julie Walters performance was as always just brilliant and together with Brenda, the chemistry for me worked fantastically. Also the ending was unexpected and really rounded it off nicely. I just love it thank you to everyone involved for bringing this quaint and humble story into my life.

Northern accents and wide-eyed astonishment at Las Vegas aside, you could be forgiven that this was a Hollywood weepie rather than the working-class British drama it pretends to be. Brenda Blethyn's and (particularly) Julie Walters' performances are detailed and superb, but the cloying sentimentality (including some sick-making talk of angels) is heaped on to the extent that the film becomes tedious rather than sympathetic.

The first half of Girls' Night is enjoyable for its sheer joie de vivre in the face of serious illness, but after around 45 minutes this is lost in a sea of half-baked ideas, repetitive emotional 'scenes' and irritating semi-fairytale romances which upset the previously realistic atmosphere of the piece.

Other than the performances, something of a shapeless disappointment.