Mrs. Henderson Presents (2005) User Reviews

Delightful and feisty--the film and its star...

[laughing_cat · 8/10 · 22 January 2006]

This film is a lot of fun. Judi Dench is great to watch as a brash, rich, sometimes naive woman who buys a theater as a hobby after her husband's death. She adds fire and life to every scene she's in and has a superb on screen rapport with Bob Hoskins.

The nudity is handled very well. The audience was completely silent when the girls first appeared in all their God-given glory. I think that no one wanted to be heard reacting in any way. But after a while the nudity in the film became as secondary to the story as it did to the audience. There are characters and their relationships that you care about and then WWII starts up with all of Hitler's insanity. They become the real focal points.

If you go to the movie knowing what you're in for, you'll have a wonderful time. It is well-done and has a good story with terrific actors. There are some lines that are very, very funny. Audience members of all ages were clapping when it was finished and you will too.

The Perfect Escape...Cinematic Fun

[jsemovieman · 8/10 · 11 December 2005]

As the closing feature of the 2005 St. Louis International Film Festival, "Mrs. Henderson Presents" was shown to a nearly full theatre. Coming from the United Kingdom, the film is not a drama nor is it a comedy. "Mrs. Henderson Presents" is best described as a "dramedy" mixed with a musical. Judi Dench dives into her usual role with ease, playing Laura Henderson. As an upper-class widow left with heaps of money, she decides to purchase a theatre, which she names The Windmill. Through the love-hate relationship between Mrs. Henderson and her theatre manager (the terrific Bob Hoskins), they present the most revolutionary program in England: nude women on stage. "Mrs. Henderson Presents," constantly switches from drama to comedy, but is so skillfully directed by Stephen Frears that it maintains a fluid and graceful tone. This is a film that is told through the eyes of its main character, Laura Henderson, so an unrealistic sense of optimism exists. The message lies in the naïve buoyancy Mrs. Henderson grabs from the continuous tragedy and sadness.

Stephen Frear's new film is truly heartbreaking and tragic, but ironically, is incredibly fun. In "Mrs. Henderson Presents," The Windmill Theatre stands tall like a knight in shining armor to the soldiers and crowds of England. It is also a pleasurable escape that certainly deserves more than one visit.

Judy, Judy, Judy!!!

[liz-173 · 7/10 · 21 December 2005]

Oh isn't she terrific?! As a Brit, I get a bit tee-ed off with the 'heritage' type of movie; the type that present a picture that never existed, but the very presence of the old dame gives Mrs Henderson Presents a really uplifting quality. I thoroughly enjoyed this film, all the performances were excellent, Judes of course, but Bob Hoskins as well... oh, and Will Young - he reminded me of Tommy Tune in The Boyfriend - well worth a few quid of anyone's money! I saw it at a preview screening and had the good fortune to chat with Bob Hoskins after the film. He was wonderful, a pocket-sized bundle of fun (though Bob, you owe me two fags). I asked him what it was like working with the Dame (she has a reputation for being totally committed and therefore can be a bit scary). He grinned a grin the size of the Dartford Tunnel and said 'Judy! She frightened the effing (though he didn't say 'effing')life out of me!!' It was a great moment - he's one of my heroes; stunning in The Long Good Friday and Mona Lisa... and a little, grey-haired old lady terrified him!! He said she on the ball twenty four hours a day and worked like a trouper. Wonderful!!! I would absolutely recommend Mrs Henderson Presents; it's nostalgic, yes; it's a bit contrived; but hey, artistic license is allowed still isn't it? And I'd rather watch this than sit through turgid dross like Notting Hill or Four Weddings. As British films go - this might just signal a bit of a comeback - we can but hope.

delightful

[Kirpianuscus · 1 September 2021]

I love Judi Dench and this was premise of interest about this film. But the real gift was the admirable work of Bob Hoskins in this conflict with the rich lady, refuged in her ideal universe. A film like a kaleidescope. It is a comedy, a drama, a musical, a war film but , more important, it is just delightful. For fair balance, for humor and dramas, for final dance , for dialogue, for inspired state, mix of nostalgia and fresh perspective about people . So, delightful can be a good term defining it.

Laura Henderson: "We've had some good shows, but they're not daring enough. Let's get rid of the clothes."

[Galina_movie_fan · 7/10 · 12 October 2006]

A wealthy widow, Mrs. Laura Henderson (Judi Dench) buys an old London theater and comes up with the brilliant idea to turn it in a performance hall with the non-stop shows featuring nude girls during World War II. Bob Hoskins plays Vivian Van Damm, her business partner, who is as stubborn and opinionated as she is but somehow they manage to stay friends and to maintain the respect and admiration for each other. I liked this little movie very much. It's a well crafted dramedy with nice musical numbers, nudity, touching story, and it is based on the real events. Dench and Hoskins are marvelous together.

7.5/10

A woman of independent means

[jotix100 · 6/10 · 6 February 2006]

What does a recent widow of a certain age do for amusement in the England of the 1930s? She buys a theater. And what kind of entertainment does this widow decide to give to the London public? The type that they didn't get in other venues.

That is the premise of this film directed by Stephen Frears that clearly shows it was a vehicle tailor made for a great dame of the English stage and cinema, Judi Dench, who clearly dominates with her presence all we see in this formulaic picture based on a real story.

The Windmill Theater in London never closed its doors during the worst of the bombing it suffered. It must have been quite a feat for the real Mrs. Henderson and her manager, Vivian Van Damm, to keep presenting day after day the kind of variety shows the public loved. The skits at the Windmill showed a lot of naked skin by the way of the beautiful young women whose job was to stand in the background and have their bodies shown in an artistic way in order to avoid the censure of the office of Lord Chamberlain.

Mrs. Henderson had the good fortune of engaging a manager of the caliber of Vivian Van Damm. He was the genius behind all the revues that played at the Windmill because his vision and knowing well what the public wanted to see. Later on, as England entered the war, the theater became a refuge for the young men that were in the city on leave before going, or returning to the front lines.

Judi Dench portrays Laura Henderson with her accustomed style in a fun, although predictable performance. She has some good moments. Bob Hoskins, playing Mr. Van Damm is also good playing opposite of Ms. Dench. Thelma Barlow appears as Mrs. Henderson's friend and confidant as the delicious Lady Conway and Christopher Guest is perfect as the Lord Chamberlain.

Stephen Frears direction doesn't bring anything to the film that has a feeling as something one has seen before. While the film doesn't break any new ground, it still is fun because of the great Judi Dench doing what she does best.

amusing Depression-Era romp

[Buddy-51 · 7/10 · 24 October 2006]

When her husband died, a feisty British dowager named Laura Henderson bought a West End theater called The Windmill, where, for the first time ever in the history of England, nude models appeared live on stage (the nudity could pass legal muster because it was presented strictly in the form of tableaux). These shows quickly became all the rage in Depression Era London, and the theater even became a beacon for morale-boosting through the dark days of the Nazi Blitz. Her cohort was a producer named Vivian Van Damm, whom the flighty Mrs. Henderson took a shine to - on both a personal and professional level - early on.

Stephen Frears' "Mrs. Henderson Presents" is what is generally known in the trade as an "actors' film," one in which the stars are the key to the movie's success. And, indeed, Judi Dench and Bob Hoskins turn in flawless performances that complement one another very nicely. Dench is all stiff-upper-lip, scenery-chewing feistiness, while Hoskins plays the part of her foil with impressive understatement. Moreover, the film is to be commended for not going for the obvious in its portrayal of the relationship between these two very different main characters (Van Damm was married and stayed true to his wife).

The script is clever, sharp and witty, with just the right amount of sentiment thrown in to give the movie the fairy tale quality it needs to succeed. In terms of the sets, cinematography and costume design, the film is a sumptuous, lovely-to-look-at, pitch-perfect re-creation of its time period.

When all is said and done, "Mrs. Henderson Presents" is a lighter-than-air soufflé that is quickly consumed and then forgotten. But it sure gives one a lot of pleasure while it lasts.

The Best little movie you'll never hear of!

[carriecerta1 · 10/10 · 5 December 2005]

Long time viewer of IMDb.com but first time poster. I just HAD to post after that negative listing I saw because I couldn't disagree more! I found the movie hilarious and touching. The history of the Windmill Theatre is extraordinary! I come from a theater background and currently work in production for television and film... and I just loved this movie. From the script, to the costuming, the acting, music and imagery... beautiful. My only complaint would be to the Weinsteins - where is the PR??? Dench and Hoskins are amazing! Oscar contenders for sure! I know it won't be released wide until January and I do hope it picks up speed because there's no good reason NOT to see this movie - there's humor, nudity, history, a little romance, a little violence... it has something for everyone!

Great movie

[pep_sesse · 6/10 · 28 December 2005]

I really like this movie, its fun and you get the entertainment you need. You don't get bored even if you are girl on 19 like myself ;) Judi Dench and Bob Hoskins is a good match in this movie, they are very funny to watch. This type of movie we don't see enough of in the cinema's today. It was cool to see all this nude girls in the movie, I know that this movie is not for kids because of that and the not so fine language that was used in the script. I would love to see more movies based on true events, please give me more! Go see this movie if you need something to make you happy and glad that you spent time watching this movie.

Enjoy!

Gently amusing British wartime film with superb music

[svw · 9/10 · 4 December 2005]

I cannot believe how badly this lovely film has been savaged on IMDb.

Apart from spectacular vaudeville staging, Judi Dench plays her eccentric, mischievous widow to perfection and the excellent Bob Hoskins is cast surprisingly out of type as a reserved, rather complex, gentlemanly but iron-willed theatre manager. Their argumentative relationship is amusing without being overbearing, as the film is essentially a nicely balanced ensemble piece. Dench's character Laura Henderson turns out to have a very touching motivation for her desire to stage daring musicals for brave young men off to war. Will Young gives an astonishingly strong vocal performance throughout. His mannered vocal style is perfect, and he looks every inch the part on stage. His few brief moments of acting are nothing to blush over either. Kelly Reilly, the star of the naked girlie reviews, is quite simply mesmerising to watch, and ultimately her character is full of pathos.

And if none of that were enough to engage you, you've got an interesting wartime plot, based on true events in the history of the Windmill Theatre, which in current circumstances feels highly topical and relevant for Londoners. 9/10

Nudity trumps the blitz

[Philby-3 · 7/10 · 29 December 2005]

Stephen Frears has proved himself very adroit in the past with adventurous or at least quirky material such as "My Beautiful Laundrette" and "Dirty Pretty Things." But here, like that other great innovative English director Mike Leigh in "Topsy_Turvey", he sings a paean of praise to showbiz in deeply conventional fashion. Even so, this is quite a satisfying piece of film-making.

The Windmill Theatre in Soho started life as a cinema, but became a live theatre after its purchase in 1930 (altered, for no apparent reason, to 1937 in the film) by Laura Henderson, the wealthy widow of a jute tycoon, who had spent many years in India. After a brief unsuccessful flurry with conventional plays, Laura and her experienced manager, Vivian Van Damm hit on the idea of "Revuedeville", a continuous variety show drawing on the vaudeville tradition. When many imitators emerged (and with the Windmill losing money) Laura decided some tasteful nudity a la Follies Bergere was in order. She sweet-talked the (rather susceptible) Lord Chamberlain, Lord Cromer, whom she knew socially, into the idea, though he imposed the famous condition that, like statues in an art gallery, nude artistes were not to move on stage.

The re-vamped show was a great success; this time not so many other theatrical managements seemed to want to follow the Windmill's example, and by the time World War 2 broke out the Windmill had a unique reputation for tasteful titillation. The auditorium was largely underground and it survived the blitz, staying open continuously except for a three-week period in September 1939 when all London theatres were closed. Inside, Mrs Henderson and her manager had a famously stormy relationship (he banned her from the theatre several times and to get access she resorted to such devices as auditioning for animal acts in a bear suit).

For me, the real interest in the film was not so much the personal dramas (and there were plenty of these during wartime) but the re-creation of the Windmill's shows which were essentially high-minded soft porn set to popular songs of the day. Titillation was the order of the day and blokes made up the bulk of the audience. Much of the music is original, from the prolific George Fenton, but the shows capture the atmosphere of the times. The film's own production values are deficient in other areas, however – some of the "outside" scenes are pretty minimalist and the London blitz skyline looks like a painted backdrop.

Needless to say Judi Dench and Bob Hoskins as Mrs Henderson and Van Damm, old pros as they are, put in fine, if sometimes histrionic, performances, and Will Young, even if he is more singer than actor, played the high camp Bertie to the manner born. The music is always easy to listen to, and though the shows might be a little glossier than the original, the entertainment value is there. It's really "Topsy Turvey from Soho", a celebration of a particular part of the British musical theatre. I suspect it will bore anybody under 50 witless, but the rest will find it satisfying.

An all-round British triumph

[bushbabyskip · 10/10 · 30 December 2005]

How to start on this spectacular film?

The music is superb, Fenton did a sterling job in providing the score for this enthralling musical. Judi Dench sits, as always, perfectly in the role of rebellious Laura Henderson, and her rapport with Bob Hoskins gives a punch to the storyline. The stunning Kelly Reilly combines her English-rose appearance with wartime tenacity and delivers a truly believable and moving performance throughout. Will Young, a surprise casting for many, heads the musical cast with an almost scarily convincing performance as the energetic performer, Bertie. He's rightly received glowing reviews after his substantial appearance in the movie, most notably from Dench and Hoskins themselves - inspired casting by Frears.

This film is a perfect example of typically British humour and attitudes, particular during WWII - In fact it's been a hit with many people from the era (when I went to see it I was surrounded not least by people of 60 and over who reacted to the film with raucous laughter and many a teary eye). I whole heartedly recommend this film to anyone with a love of music, comedy, history, Britain or simply bloody good acting.

a light piece of escapism

[nobbytatoes · 6/10 · 20 March 2006]

During the wake of Mrs. Henderson's late husband, she has already fallen bored with the life of widowhood. Never one to be kept tied down with boredom, and money to burn, stumbles upon an old, decrepit theater. Hiring out of work manager, Vivian Van Damm, the Windmill theater becomes an instant hit with the public. When other theaters follow suit, revenue drops dramatically. To keep the theater running, Henderson takes inspiration from Paris, placing naked women in the stage numbers. Contriversity hits the Windmill, with Lord Cromer stating the women are unable to move, in order for the nudity to be credited as art, yet the musicals are a hit, with people constantly filling the seats; strangely all men. Looming around the corner, the second world war starts, turning England into a dangerous area, from constant air raids. Determined to keep peoples morals up, Henderson leaves the theater open.

From the opening credits, you can see Mrs. Henderson Presents is covered in that old English charm. The humor is so wry and fired off with such precision, making those punches at the aristocratic lifestyle right on target. You can easily see Judi Dench loved her role of Mrs. Henderson. Dench perfectly times every joke, and comeback to Mr. Van Damm, firing one after the other. Equally match, Bob Hoskins is perfectly partnered with Dench, they're like an old couple they way they fight one another.

While Mrs. Henderson Presents starts off promising, with great humor, its starts to slip down, verging to heavily into the melodramatic; especially when the war starts. Melodrama doesn't hold a lot of emotional manipulation, making all the dramatic scenes not all that dramatic. Stephen Frears's direction is to heavy handed, with some awkward shots; at times it looks he's shoving the camera in their faces. Frears's does handle the nudity with great subtlety, never looking exploitive, the women do look like art.

While this does slide towards the end with some predictability and losing that sharp witty humor, Mrs. Henderson Presents is a good piece of light entertainment.

Musty Old Bore

[gabrieletaibo · 2/10 · 30 November 2005]

What were they thinking? Stephen Frears? I don't believe it for a minute. He's never made anything this bad. The tone of the film is impossible to grasp. Lack of money, something mentioned. Well that's no excuse. To recreate the London blitz without money is something that amateurs do, not Stephen Frears for goodness sake. Judi Dench alone is a reason to go to a movie, but not this one. Here everything is so clichéd so premeditated is anti-wit it's just unforgivable. Martin Sherman of "Bent" fame wrote the script and that's were most of the problems lay. It's not grand and funny and camp. it's not serious compelling or moving. It's not fast and outrageous and daring. It's just a disappointing crashing old bore. I'm sorry, I really am.

Dame Judi Dench steals the show!!!

[Chrysanthepop · 12 November 2007]

A film like 'Mrs. Henderson Presents' probably relies most on the performances and this is where it scores. Not to take anything away from Stephen Frears as I very much like his works, but I doubt the screenplay would have been as effective had it not been for Ms. Dench. The title role seems to have been made for Dame Judi Dench as I simply cannot picture anyone else doing justice to the character. In addition to that, Bob Hoskins is equally effective as the stubborn Van Damme and Kelly Reilly is stunningly sensual, innocent and vulnerable. The portrayal of the theatre and its productions are quite spectacular. The set designs though impressive have a theatrical look but perhaps that was the director Frears's intention. The soundtrack is likable. The screenplay feels slightly deja-vu and something seems to be lacking. Though the film is classified as a drama, there are several laugh-out-loud moments, most of which are provided by Dench. Her subtle comedy, her downplaying the intense emotions and her nuances, whether expressed through her dialogue delivery or body language….are enough to form a textbook in acting. Just take a look at her scenes and one can see what I am trying to convey. It is Judi Dench's Mrs. Henderson that stays in mind long after the film's finished. That itself makes 'Mrs. Henderson Presents' a beautiful film to watch.

Pretty good film, not the usual

[smatysia · 7/10 · 21 September 2006]

British cinema prides itself on being different from Hollywood, as well it should be. This is a cute little partly-comedic historical drama. Judi Dench is wonderful in this film, and a lot of credit should go to Bob Hoskins, as well. I first saw him in "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?" and he had the accent down so perfectly, I just assumed that he was an American. Both of these fine actors subsumed themselves completely into their characters and made the semi-farcical believable. The photography was also quite grand, particularly the rooftop shots of London during the Blitz. The nudity was tastefully done, maybe even a bit too much. Overall, this film is most assuredly worth a rental.

Mrs Henderson Presents...A New Culture, As Never Seen Before!

[samuelding85 · 7/10 · 21 February 2006]

Director Stephen Frears presents a brand new breakthrough comedy in this British comedy/musical, with our favourite British actress Judi Dench and Bob Hoskins leading a group of beauties to go onto the stage - nude.

Dench plays Laura Henderson, a recent widow of the late merchant. After inherited the wealth from her late husband, she bought over a theatre as she could not accept the boredom of being a well-to-do widow. She names the theatre Windmill Theatre and runs the theatre with Vivian Van Damm (Hoskins) together with their newly recruited performers.

However, business fails after a period of time. Thus Mrs Henderson decided to introduce nude girls into the show, which is commonly seen in France. Afraid that it will be condemn by the society, Vivian is against the idea of nude performances. However, Vivian gives in after much persuasion. Eventually it not only make Windmill Theatre brings back its glorious days, but also becomes the only theatre that still runs the show during World War 2.

Frears do not sell nudity as a form of sex in Mrs Henderson Presents. More rather, it brings out the whole idea of the movie that is trying to present, where it makes Windmill Theatre not only stands up out of the other theatres (by being the only theatre that still runs the show during war.), but also the only places for entertainment during the war time, for both the people and the soldiers.

The film lacks elaboration on how it survives after WW2, which is the only disappointment in the film. Other than that, you are guaranteed with lots of hilarious jokes, the fanciful dance and sing segments, and of course, the constant bickering between Judi Dench and Bob Hoskins.

The dance and sing segment is part of the selling point of the film, where it not only present to the audience as a form of entertainment, but also it acts as a time line for the years Windmill Theatre being through. From the dance and sing segment featuring hunks and loads of beauties in the pre-WW2 era to the patriotic songs performances, the Windmill girls and guys are using their performance as a form of reflection to the world outside the stage curtains.

Judi Dench, amazingly, took the role of Laura Henderson well. While Dench leaves memorable impression of the role of M in James Bond series and the British aristocrats in her old works such as The Importance of Being Earnest and the recent Pride and Prejudice, she changes the impression of the audience with Laura Henderson, where she would do something that no one would ever did. Her decision not only takes the opportunity to fulfill her dead son's wishes (where at the start of the film, she visited her son's grave after her husband's funeral) but also the wishes of many men, including the soldiers. Judi Dench took the opportunity to express what Laura wants to did in this film by taking the leading role, Mrs Laura Henderson.

Mrs Henderson Presents makes it stands up out of the other British films with something that no want would want to do - nude performances in Windmill Theatre.

the widow, the money, the skin

[raypdaley182 · 7/10 · 23 July 2006]

i truly didn't expect anything much from this film. Judy Dench just shines through the whole movie, she plays the Mrs Henderson of the films title. she's just become a widow and has a lot of disposable income and her friend and confidant (thelma Barlow of coronation street and dinner ladies fame) advises her to get a hobby or do something with her money. so she buys a theatre. in windmill street, London. ah, legends are about to be forged but no-one yet knows it. but she has no idea how to run a theatre, so she uses the old boy network to hire herself a manager to run the theatre. enter Mr Bob Hoskins playing Vivian van Damme and looking slightly like he did in who framed roger rabbit. without the hat. so they hatch a plan to have a musical revue that will run non-stop and a concept is born. which is then stolen, and their theatre faces money problems. so Mrs Henderson suggests naked girls on stage! society rail against her but the public love it. it makes them money and then world war 2 ensues. London is bombed and the theatre is threatened with closure, Mrs Henderson reveals some of her life secrets and the theatre is re-opened. an excellent film, it looks amazing, the nudity is very subtle and not at all rude or crude. will young needed a bit more to do apart from sing. Hoskins and Dench were sheer genius. watch it and enjoy it.

A feel good experience

[robrpc-1 · 9/10 · 1 January 2006]

This little gem was given a bad review by a local newspaper critic and I couldn't disagree more!! I loved it. Judy Dench (the wonderful) and Bob Hoskins are fabulous in their roles and I loved the flirtatious undercurrents. This film made me laugh and cry .... I left the theatre feeling lovely ... what more could you ask for in a movie?? The history of the Windmill Theatre and the (ludicrious) laws allowing the nudes on stage was very interesting. I think Will Young did very well in his first movie, I am an oldie who enjoys his singing. All in all a great movie, Judy Dench fans wont be disappointed, and I hope some younger movie goers give it a go as its well worth the viewing.

Keep the home fires burning

[paul2001sw-1 · 7/10 · 5 January 2007]

'Mrs. Henderson Presents' tells the story of the first London show to feature naked bodies, which overcame the twin hurdles of the Lord Chamberlain's censorship and World War Two. The importance of this landmark is questionable, and the film occupies a comfortable territory, never really challenging our assumptions. But Stephen Frears directs with his customary low-key humour, and Judy Dench gives a fine performance as the eccentric proprietor, although Bob Hoskins (employing a very strange accent) never quite convinces as the artistic director with whom she enjoys a fiery relationship, in this agreeable, though slight, film.

What An Emotional Wallop!!!!

[Casablanca3784 · 10/10 · 13 March 2006]

Reese won the Oscar for Best Actress. I loved the film and her too. She was amazing indeed but the performance I saw yesterday from Judi Dench made Reese's performance pale by comparison. If Dame Judi isn't one of the greatest actresses ever, I'm Napolean and I strongly suggest seeing "Mrs. Henderson Presents" to prove it. I might add that I am surprised by Robert Hoskins's not having received an Oscar nomination because he is not only superb but so important for Judi to play off of.

I thought it was going to be a lighthearted romp thru nudesville which is why I was astonished. Nude showgirls? Yes but it's just the tip of the iceberg; in fact the nudity becomes secondary as the real impact of the plot unfolds. It is absolutely a magnificent story, one of courage,love, loyalty, determination and vindication.

Perhaps my love for this film is partially due to the fact that I'm an Anglophile. We Yankees owe our very lives to the remarkable Winston Churchill and the remarkable British, the kind whom Judi Dench portrays. The indomnitable Brits, never saying ENOUGH"- never considering surrender as Hitler's Luftwaffe bombed London and other major cities into near rubble. These British waited out torture,fire and death by huddling in their underground(subways) and might I add, into that safe portion of London's Windmill Theatre owned by Mrs. Henderson and run by Mr. Van Dam. I shall write no more about it but strongly advise anyone seeing this fantastic film to appreciate the bravery of all the English during the blitz.

Just keep in mind that had they surrendered, Hitler would have used the British Isles to conquer Iceland, then Greenland, then parts of Canadand ultimately Luftwaffe bombs would have fallen on our major east coast industrial cities.

God bless our British cousins! In the meantime, don't forget to bring tissues with you because I'm warning you--this picture has a powerful emotional wallop. A tip of my cap to you Mrs. Henderson. You provided us moviegoers with an unforgettable story.

Nude vs. Naked

[moutonbear25 · 7/10 · 26 January 2006]

MRS. HENDERSON PRESENTS Written by Martin Sherman Directed by Stephen Frears

The credits roll and instantly MRS. HENDERSON PRESENTS is insufferable. A tiresome montage of animation and archival footage of monkeys, cherubs and ladies in suggestive situations introduces the film's players as a flat jazz score attempts to liven the mood and pick up the pace. I felt I might be doomed to sit through a tacky offering from the director of groundbreaking fare like MY BEAUTIFUL LAUNDERETTE and the writer of the gut wrenching BENT. I began to breathe easy shortly after as Judi Dench took to the screen as Laura Henderson. As a recently widowed lady of England's high society, Dench delivers a sharp, snappy performance that had me jerking out embarrassingly loud fits of laughter while she managed to maintain the tenderness and hope of a woman looking for meaning in a life without her great loves, her husband and her son who died in the first world war. At a friend's suggestion, she takes up a hobby to pass the time after her husband passes and after passing herself on embroidery and charity work, she settles on a project that is nothing short of extravagant and therefore nothing short of fitting for Mrs. Henderson; she buys a theater in London's West End. Though the venture starts out promising, the fickle patrons quickly turn away and Mrs. Henderson decides to do what any proper lady would; she suggests putting naked girls on the stage.

The nature of the theater can be one of spontaneity and surprise, especially for those who have no idea what they've signed on for. Though this energizes the theater experience both in the audience and backstage, it does not make for a solid film. Sherman's script is without any consistent story arch, leaving the viewer wondering where this is all going and knowing that the answer is really nowhere. The only constant is the theater itself and subplots run rampant in these wings and dressing rooms. Much like the "Revuedeville" show that runs all day at the Windmill theater, these trivial plots arise and resolve themselves before making way for the next. There is expected banter and emotional tension between Mrs. Henderson and her theater manager, Mr. Van Damme (Bob Hoskins); there is the inevitable controversy over having naked girls on stage; there is even a rising star with a frozen heart who manages to thaw it out in time to fall for a soldier, get pregnant and lose him. The only thing any of these situations has in common is that they all take place in the Windmill Theatre. And all that manages to save this disconnected story from feeling like a mismatched chorus line are the lively, exuberant performances from all the players. They wear their awareness of being naughty very well and parlay it into an amusing and jubilant show while forming the foundation of a family, like only the theater can, that the audience both roots and hopes for in between their hollers.

In order for the naked ladies to take the stage, they must remain perfectly still, like works of art in a museum. While naturally hesitant at first, the ladies shed their garb under the guidance of Mr. Van Damme. After all, this is England in 1937. Such things were just not done. Mr. Van Damme asks his girls, and throws the question out at any prudes in the audience as well, "Why do you think God gave you your bits and pieces? So you could be ashamed of them?" He goes on to tell them all that they are works of art. And while he plays the occasional prank that forces the ladies to move on stage when they are not allowed to, he does treat them with the respect and admiration any work of art deserves. The ladies are never exploited and are always incorporated into the acts like set pieces to enhance the song being sung or the dance being danced. It is always about the build up and not about the pay off. In other words, it is the difference between baring your bosom and baring your breast. And while the promise of naked girls may get the people in the seats, it is the show itself they leave with. Perhaps the same can be said of the experience for some of the folks I saw this film with.

MRS HENDERSON PRESENTS is inspired by true events and reality must at one point interrupt the fun and games. A few years in to the Windmill's run, Germany begins bombing England. An overwhelming feeling of helplessness falls on the theater and Frears poses another question to his audience. What is the point of some good, clean fun in troubled times? Though Frears' decision to cut back and forth between archival war footage of bombings and fighter planes and the impact of these images on the players and patrons of Mrs. Henderson's theater is awkward at best, it still manages to make a point we all know well even more relevant. The show must go on. Why? Because there must be hope that a life we all know and love will return after the fear and we will feel safe once again. In a simple, and dare I say rather naked moment, one "Revuedeville" star asks, "Who'd ever dreamed that standing on a stage without any clothes on would feel like the safest place to be?" Any revue is bound to have elements that don't work or take you out of the moment but it's moments like this and many other hilarious ones that make it all worthwhile and catch you off guard, as if you were caught unexpectedly with your pants down.

MRS. HENDERSON PRESENTS is a brilliant film and a great story.

[screenwriter-14 · 10/10 · 10 December 2005]

Judi Dench as MRS. HENDERSON is a joy to watch from the first scene in the cemetery to the last scene on a roof top in London. A powerful story of a rich English woman who strikes gold with an investment in a theater in London during World War II and turns her investment into a brilliant refuge for her audience as bombs drop all around the theater.

Bob Hoskins turns in a performance as brilliant as Ms. Dench and the two of the them on the screen together is such a pleasure to watch two polished and professional actors light up the screen. The chemistry between them is marvelous, and their scenes together are filled with tremendous writing and biting humor. A "cinematic joy" just in time for the Awards season.

MRS. HENDERSON PRESENTS brings us back to the time of World War II and visually shows us the strength of character which the English people had in fighting the Germans and the tremendous sacrifices made by Great Britain to win the war. The supporting cast of beautiful women, and the marvelous role Christopher Guest has in the movie makes this film one to remember and cherish during the holiday season.

LET THERE ALWAYS BE AN ENGLAND.

Judi Dench adds another fine portrait to her gallery of roles

[cinemel1 · 7/10 · 12 December 2005]

Mrs. Henderson (Judi Dench) is newly widowed just before the Second World War. Being wealthy, she decides to buy a dilapidated old theater, renovate it, and present continuous performances of vaudeville. She hires Vivian Van Damm (Bob Hoskins) to produce the shows which start off doing very well. When the customers start to dwindle she gets the idea of presenting some of the female performers nude. She applies for permission from the government and the arts commission allows it only if the women don't move. The relationship of Dench and Van Damm is what drives the film. They are great together. The musical numbers are enjoyable. The soldiers who attend the performances are entertained. There isn't much plot to the film, but the cast and direction (Stephen Frears) paint a portrait of life before and during World War II in London during the blitz.

No character development, no dramatic tension, no story arc

[alanfc · 1/10 · 11 March 2006]

Who would ever think a movie with such talented actors could go so wrong? Mrs Henderson's friend comments that women in their eighth decade are very similar to adolescents. That rings too true in this case. Mrs Henderson is boring and implausibly shallow. The sparks between her and Vivian Van Damme, played by Hoskins, are artificial and unpersuasive. None of the characters develops in any interesting way. The struggle to keep the revue open against sporadic and apparently random opposition by the Lord Chamberlain is not enough to sustain the story. The motivations of the filles de tableaux are not explored. No tension ever being created, there is none to be resolved. Ugh.