GIRLS’ NIGHT
UK, 1998, 102 minutes, Colour.
Brenda Blethyn, Julie Walters, Meera Syal, Kris Kristofferson.
Directed by Nick Hurran.
Girls’ Night was written by television writer, Kay Mellor (Band of Gold, Fanny and Elvis). It was directed by Nick Hurran, originally for television but the decision was made to screen it in cinemas. He has made a number of minor comedies like Virtual Sexualily and It’s a Boy/Girl Thing.
The important contribution to the film is performance – of Brenda Blethyn and Julie Walters as lifelong friends who work in an electronics factory. One wins the lottery and then discovers she has terminal cancer. The other decides to take her to Las Vegas for a final outing – the girls’ night out. While in Las Vegas, they encounter one of the locals, Kris Kristofferson, who takes them for a trip to the desert. It is a life-transforming experience for Jackie, played by Julie Walters, and a final joy for Dawn, played by Brenda Blethyn.
In the supporting cast is Meera Syal, a performer in The Kumars at Number 42 as well as the writer of Anita and Me.
The film is one of many about terminal illness and has a fair amount of sentiment. However, the engaging performances of the two central characters make it a stronger film than merely a sentimental indulgence.
1.An entertaining film? Comedy? Drama? Friendship? Terminal illness?
2.The British settings, the town, the factory, homes? Ordinariness? Aerial photography of the town? The contrast with Las Vegas, its glitz, hotels, casinos? The contrast with the countryside? The Nevada Desert? The musical score?
3.The British sequences, ordinary life, Dawn at home, with her husband, children? Jackie at home? The tensions with her husband? The kitchen sequences?
4.Dawn and her winning the lottery, the importance, her always playing bingo? The nineteen years? Sharon and the illness?
5.British life, girls’ nights, bingo, playing, winning, disappointments? Girl talk? Their jobs? Their luck? Jackie and her talk about sex, her own relationships? A man as a cheap sod?
6.Jackie, Julie Walters’ personality, condom marriage, wanting to leave, Ken attacking her? Leaving work? Moving in? Dawn and her generosity, giving Jackie a share?
7.The hospital sequences, the tests, the nurse, the visitors? The information and Dawn’s response? Her future? Her relationship with her children, their fighting, her weeping?
8.The presentation of the cheque, the enjoyment? Money for Jackie? Her also getting money from Steve, her relationship with Steve? Finding the photo, the clash with Paul, the speech?
9.Dawn and her therapy, her illness? Jackie coming to the hospital? The tantrum?
10.The decision to go to Las Vegas, Jackie and her enthusiasm, Dawn and her bewilderment? The chemotherapy, her hair and the scarf? The theme of good girls are gonna go bad – Thelma and Louise? The references? The camera – and asking what for, the fact that everything was in her head?
11.The jackpot slots, Pretty Woman, life in Las Vegas, holiday, gambling? Winning Steve? Dawn and her dream and saying an angel kissed her on the cheek? Shopping for wigs?
12.Luck, “bloody lucky”? My number always coming up – and talking about the treatment, a few months to live like a normal person? Jackie helping her? Jackie’s outburst about selfishness?
13.Cody, Kris Kristofferson, the encounter, his friendship, taking them on the trip? Talking frankly with him? His looking for a mate? Talking about sex to Dawn? Talking about Steve? The plan to go home?
14.Out riding, Dawn and her enjoyment? The urging not to be too soft? Issues of judging?
15.Going home, Dawn’s death? Jackie’s apology? Jackie alone – or the possibility of returning to Nevada?
