

1989·Romance·1h 48m
7.1
★


Wondering what has happened to herself, now feeling stagnant and in a rut, Shirley Valentine finds herself regularly talking to the wall while preparing her husband's chips and egg. When her best friend wins a trip-for-two to Greece Shirley begins to see the world, and herself, in a different light.
Directed by Lewis Gilbert
northern england
greece
liverpool, england
based on play or musical
bored housewife

Trailer

IMDB
N/A
Where to Watch



Cast

Pauline Collins
Shirley Valentine-Bradshaw

Tom Conti
Costas Demitriadis

Julia McKenzie
Gillian

Alison Steadman
Jane

Joanna Lumley
Marjorie Majors

Sylvia Syms
Headmistress

Bernard Hill
Joe Bradshaw

George Costigan
Dougie

Tracie Bennett
Millandra

Gillian Kearney
Young Shirley

Cardew Robinson
Londoner
Crew

Lewis Gilbert
Director

Willy Russell
Screenplay

Willy Russell
Original Music Composer

Alan Hume
Director of Photography

Lewis Gilbert
Producer

Harry Rabinowitz
Music Supervisor

Lois Burwell
Makeup Artist

Marilyn Bergman
Lyricist

Marvin Hamlisch
Songs

Alan Bergman
Lyricist

Drew Struzan
Art Designer
Popular Reviews
33 reviews
brunettegsundae
8.0★ · 01/16/26

I have allowed myself to lead this little life, when inside me there was so much more. And it's all gone unused. And now it never will be. Why do we get all this life if we don't ever use it? Why do we get all these feelings and dreams and hopes if we don't ever use them?
I could quote like half of Shirley Valentine’s phrases, so meaningful
It was never about the man, Greece, or going on vacation, but about Shirley learning how to love herself again, how to take care of herself, and that’s lovely. For me, she will forever be Shirley Valentine
I have allowed myself to lead this little life, when inside me there was so much more. And it's all gone unused. And now it never will be. Why do we get all this life if we don't ever use it? Why do we get all these feelings and dreams and hopes if we don't ever use them?
I could quote like half of Shirley Valentine’s phrases, so meaningful
It was never about the man, Greece, or going on vacation, but about Shirley learning how to love herself again, how to take care of herself, and that’s lovely. For me, she will forever be Shirley Valentine
1
Japeth
7.0★ · 05/08/26

Every woman needs to watch this
Every woman needs to watch this
Emily
10.0★ · 03/08/26

shirley valentine i love you oh so much. didn’t expect to cry so much, just such a beautiful film about loving yourself. need everyone to watch this. and happy international woman’s day to you my queen 🫶🏻
shirley valentine i love you oh so much. didn’t expect to cry so much, just such a beautiful film about loving yourself. need everyone to watch this. and happy international woman’s day to you my queen 🫶🏻
Pretentious
8.0★ · 02/22/26

Takes its sweet fucking time getting there, only to reveal it’s about sipping wine at sunset and drifting port to port while fucking a Greek dude in a boat.
Takes its sweet fucking time getting there, only to reveal it’s about sipping wine at sunset and drifting port to port while fucking a Greek dude in a boat.
Addie Pray
8.0★ · 02/20/26

“I’ve led such a little life and even that will be over pretty soon. I’ve allowed myself to lead this little life when inside me there was so much more and It’s all unused and now it never will be. Why do we get all this life if we don’t ever use it? Why do we get all these… feelings and dreams and hopes if we don’t ever use them? That’s where Shirley Valentine disappeared to. She got lost in all this unused life.”
oh!! A pretty little hidden gem!! A bored housewife who talks to her kitchen wall fucks off to Greece and takes us with her. Incredible uses of fourth-wall breaks.
“I’ve led such a little life and even that will be over pretty soon. I’ve allowed myself to lead this little life when inside me there was so much more and It’s all unused and now it never will be. Why do we get all this life if we don’t ever use it? Why do we get all these… feelings and dreams and hopes if we don’t ever use them? That’s where Shirley Valentine disappeared to. She got lost in all this unused life.”
oh!! A pretty little hidden gem!! A bored housewife who talks to her kitchen wall fucks off to Greece and takes us with her. Incredible uses of fourth-wall breaks.