Extract from Daily Mail
Dame Helen Mirren has hit out at society's attitude to ageing, revealing she can't stand the condescending manner in which younger people have spoken to her.
The actress turned 80 last month and revealed that while she had no issues with getting older, she laments the way she is now perceived.
Discussing her age, she mused: 'The hardest part is the condescension. It really annoys me.'
Recalling an outing with her husband Taylor Hackford, also 80, she told The Times: 'If my husband and I are holding hands, someone might say, "Oh, look. How sweet."
'It's like, excuse my language, "F**k off." There's something very condescending about some people's attitudes and I think they think they are being kind and generous. But they're not. They're being insulting.'
Asked whether turning 80 was how she expected, Helen mused: 'My mum said something very wise to me many years ago.'
Dame Helen Mirren has hit out at society's attitude to ageing, revealing she can't stand the condescending manner in which younger people have spoken to her
The actress turned 80 last month and revealed that while she had no issues with getting older, she laments the way she is now perceived (pictured in 1980 aged 35)
Helen recalled: She said: "Never be afraid of getting older. An amazing thing happens. When you're 18 the thought of being 35 is horrific. And you get to 35 and it's actually a lot better than being 18. And when you're 35 the thought of being 55 … Then you hit 55 and you realise there are great things about being 55. Your life has moved on, you lose certain stuff but you gain other stuff." That's certainly the case for me.'
Currently, Helen can be seen in The Thursday Murder Club, which follows a group of 'geriatric sleuths' who solve murders from their retirement home.
The movie, based on the best selling novel by TV's Richard Osman, also stars Pierce Brosnan, Sir Ben Kinsley and Celia Imrie.
Helen leads the cast as Elizabeth, a sharp ex-spy with a knack for uncovering secrets.
Pierce plays Ron, a former union activist with a passionate spirit, while Ben portrays Ibrahim, an insightful ex-psychiatrist.
Celia rounds out the group as Joyce, a compassionate ex-nurse who balances the team.
The Calendar Girls star previously told how the four main stars of the film have bonded just like their characters in the novel, calling them 'a team'.
Speaking to TV Times magazine, Celia explained: 'It is the way we became a team that I love. And I was excited every day when I woke up and thought of coming to work with these fantastic actors. I couldn't believe my luck.'
Recalling an outing with her husband Taylor Hackford, also 80, she told The Times: 'If my husband and I are holding hands, someone might say, "Oh, look. How sweet" (pictured 2023)
Meanwhile, Ben was in agreement, adding: 'Working with this cast is like playing tennis with an equal partner. It elevates the game tremendously. The ball never drops or gets lost.'
Celia also told how she headed straight to the bookshop to buy herself a copy of the novel after landing the part of Joyce.
Speaking more in dept about her character, who is a newcomer to the retirement village, Celia said: 'Joyce has an innocence - she's a bit unsure of herself, but fun, enthusiastic and a good sport. She wants to be included and is keen to make new friends.'
She added that the book was a 'lovely reference', allowing her to delve deeper into her character.
Helen was also a fan of the book, noting she was one of millions who read it and 'couldn't put it down'.
The star noted that she hoped viewers of the movie will be 'entertained and moved'.
Helen can currently be seen in The Thursday Murder Club (Pictured: Celia Imrie as Joyce, Sir Ben Kingsley as Ibrahim, Helen as Elizabeth and Pierce Brosnan as Ron)
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