Mrs. Henderson Presents Review

"Mrs. Henderson Presents" reviews

Movie

Mrs. Henderson Presents

Author

anonymous

Date reviewed

2009-08-28 20:45:09

Rating

3/5

Provider

CinemaSource

Review

Judi Dench, Bob Hoskins and naked women on stage! What more could you ask for? Even if it does tend to get a tad maudlin in spots, Mrs. Henderson Presents is a delightfully sweet little indie about a slice of London's theater history.

Story

It's 1937. Mrs. Laura Henderson (Judi Dench), a 69 year-old wealthy widow, staves off boredom by buying an old theater in London's Soho, which she turns into the Windmill Theatre. She also hires Vivian Van Damm (Bob Hoskins) as her creative director. Their love-hate relationship certainly isn't a partnership made in heaven, but they have acute collaborative minds. Their revolutionary ideas of non-stop musical entertainment, combined with nude women on stage, innovate British theater while rocking the establishment, as does Mrs. Henderson's unwavering devotion to keep the theater open during the London bombings in WWII. Mrs. Henderson Presents stands as a testament to this real life woman--and the talented people surrounding her--who brought hope and merriment during troubled times.

Acting

Isn't it fortunate the British keep writing the most marvelous roles for their aging actresses? Dench bullies her way through as the highly irascible but entirely lovable Mrs. Henderson, as well as etching the deep sorrow from Mrs. Henderson's life on her face. The always excellent Hoskins is perfectly suited as her counterpart, Mr. Van Damm. They do make a fine pair, as his no-nonsense approach clashes with Mrs. Henderson's eccentricities, providing the film's more deliciously witty moments. As for the supporting players on stage, pop singer Will Young (who won the British equivalent of American Idol) stands out in his acting debut as Bertie, the star of the musical revues. British stage actress Kelly Reilly also turns in a solid performance as the tragic Maureen, the most exquisite of the nude Windmill girls.

Direction

Director Stephen Frears has eclectic tastes. He's done gritty realism (The Grifters), relationship comedy (High Fidelity), period piece (Dangerous Liaisons). But apparently, Mrs. Henderson Presents proved to be the director's biggest challenge to date because of the amount of musical performance involved. He explains, "Songs and music are tyrannical: once you start a phrase of music you have to complete it. So I found all that very, very tricky." Thorny as it may sound, Frears still does an admirable job juxtaposing the musical numbers on stage with the dramedy. The film, however, loses some steam once the bombs start dropping and turns too serious. We know war is hell. That's why--like those brave soldiers who flocked to the Windmill for a much needed break from reality--we want to watch high-spirited comedy, with a little nudity sprinkled in.

Bottom Line

Hollywood.com rated this film 3 stars.

Movie

MRS HENDERSON PRESENTS

Author

anonymous

Date reviewed

2005-11-18 16:33:10

Provider

Review

The story of the Windmill Theatre and it's resurrection by Mrs Henderson as London's very own Moulin Rouge is an absolute gem.

After the death of her husband Laura Henderson needs a 'hobby'. Too lively and energetic to devote her efforts to WI charitable pursuits, she purchases the Windmill Theatre and engages impresario, Vivian Van Damm (Bob Hoskins) as Manager to produce a new revue. The result is a first - a nonstop cabaret - and a big hit until competing theatres in the West End copy it. So, Mrs Henderson devises the theatre's next step: Nudity! Van Damm and his assistant Bertie (Will Young) begin their search for perfect English roses, whilst Laura convinces the Lord Chamberlain it is an artistic endeavor by insisting the girls will only pose - perfectly still. Both prove successful as the show becomes a huge notorious hit with the public. As war arrives, the theatre comes under threat of closure. Only Laura's resilience can save it, to keep it as a beacon of solidarity for the the blitz-burdened public and young soldiers going to war.

This is a sublime piece of storytelling directed by Stephen Frears. Inspired by true events, he's drawn on the best of the acting and production talent to conjure up an authentic, yet still romantic, vision of the late 30's. Dame Judi Dench and Bob Hoskins are superb together as Mrs Henderson and Van Damm. It's a pleasure to see accomplished talent have such a lively chemistry onscreen. Will Young acquits himself extremely well and adds to his expanding canon with some vaudeville tunes and the revue girls are rightly developed properly into the strong characters they are, led by Kelly Reilly. It's enchanting, tightly scripted with not a frame of screen time wasted as the story unfolds further with every scene - right up to the closing credits. Invested with the hope, dreams and desires of the characters it veers perfectly from tissues-out moments to laugh-out-loud funny.

Dame Judi is captivating; It's Hoskins best film in years and another triumph for Frears. Get the BAFTAs ready. If only all film-making was this accomplished and engaging.