The theme of today's film has similarities to yesterday's: World War II and the theatre, although in Mrs. Henderson Presents, we are in London from 1937 to about 1941. Based on real events and people, widow Mrs. Henderson (Judi Dench) needs something to occupy her time, so she buys The Windmill Theatre, a deserted theatre in the West End of London. She is outspoken, rude, totally privileged and strong willed. She's the type of woman who on a whim can hire a plane to take her to France. She is late to her meeting with Mr. Vivian Van Damm (Bob Hoskins) who wants nothing to do with her project. She immediately offers him a job, attracted by his willingness to stand up to her. He agrees only if she gives him absolute authority in all matters. They butt heads as we expect them to, and at Van Damm's suggestion begin presenting five shows a day.
When other theatres adopt the same policy and begin cutting into their receipts, Mrs. Henderson proposes they get rid of costumes. "Men like looking at breasts," she says. Nude performers were pretty shocking in London at the time, and the prudish Lord Chamberlain had to license all performances. Mrs. Henderson, a friend of his, convinces him that if the girls don't move, it would be more like a trip to an art museum. (Tableaux of similar kinds were done during the Victorian Period, although the women of that period wore skin-tight costumes.) The Gillian Anderson character in The House of Mirth, reviewed earlier, performs in one of these tableaux.
The Windmill's productions become popular with the troops and as London suffers bombardment, the productions become more and more patriotic. When the Lord Chamberlain wants to close down the theatre, popular demand and a moving speech from Mrs. Henderson keeps it open.
Someone referred to Dame Judi Dench as one of England's National Treasures. I agree. She is always enjoyable. Here she and Hoskins are a delight to watch. Dench gives great depth and believability to her character. Hoskins is more subdued than I usually think of him and more charming. A side-story about one of the performers played by Kelly Reilly gives depth to our understanding of the women's views. You might recognize Reilly in the recent Sherlock Holmes films, but she has a long list of credits.
The many production numbers are fun and entertaining, with all attempts at capturing the 1930-1940 styles of dancing, production, costume, and makeup. I'd put it on your queue to see.
The film features nudity, but there is nothing prurient about it. This not Russ Meyer sexploitation from the 1960s; nor were the shows of The Windmill Theatre.
Mrs. Henderson Presents (DVD, 2005) ****
When other theatres adopt the same policy and begin cutting into their receipts, Mrs. Henderson proposes they get rid of costumes. "Men like looking at breasts," she says. Nude performers were pretty shocking in London at the time, and the prudish Lord Chamberlain had to license all performances. Mrs. Henderson, a friend of his, convinces him that if the girls don't move, it would be more like a trip to an art museum. (Tableaux of similar kinds were done during the Victorian Period, although the women of that period wore skin-tight costumes.) The Gillian Anderson character in The House of Mirth, reviewed earlier, performs in one of these tableaux.
The Windmill's productions become popular with the troops and as London suffers bombardment, the productions become more and more patriotic. When the Lord Chamberlain wants to close down the theatre, popular demand and a moving speech from Mrs. Henderson keeps it open.
Someone referred to Dame Judi Dench as one of England's National Treasures. I agree. She is always enjoyable. Here she and Hoskins are a delight to watch. Dench gives great depth and believability to her character. Hoskins is more subdued than I usually think of him and more charming. A side-story about one of the performers played by Kelly Reilly gives depth to our understanding of the women's views. You might recognize Reilly in the recent Sherlock Holmes films, but she has a long list of credits.
The many production numbers are fun and entertaining, with all attempts at capturing the 1930-1940 styles of dancing, production, costume, and makeup. I'd put it on your queue to see.
The film features nudity, but there is nothing prurient about it. This not Russ Meyer sexploitation from the 1960s; nor were the shows of The Windmill Theatre.
Mrs. Henderson Presents (DVD, 2005) ****
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