"Mrs Henderson Presents" is directed by Stephen Frears, with the same wry, sure touch for comedy and place he brought to "The Snapper." It doesn't hurt that Judi Dench and Bob Hoskins, who co-produced, are the leads. They're in top form, with delicious material that is based on a true story. It begins in London in the Thirties. Laura Henderson (Dench), decides to buy a music hall rather than use her recent, substantial inheritance for charitable good works. The man she hires to manage her enterprise, Vivian Van Damm (Hoskins) agrees on the condition that she cannot interfere, though she tries repeatedly. Some of the best scenes in this always-entertaining movie revolve around their disagreements. Success eludes them until they replace the music hall with a nudie review.
Sets, costumes, and witty dialog capture the look and feel of upper crust London. Christopher Guest has a small but significant - and quite funny - role as a person vital to the review's success. Mrs. Henderson's true reason for her enterprise is eventually revealed, and it brings a bittersweet moment during the London Blitz. This delightful story played to an appreciative audience at the Austin Film Festival.
Frears seems able to helm any story well. The look and tone is as far from "The Grifers" or "Dirty Pretty Things" as you can get - but the story is equally compelling. Credit for the sparkle must also be given to writer Martin Sherman, who also wrote "Bent" and "Callas Forever." Whatever mood you're in when this film opens, you'll leave with a smile.
Sets, costumes, and witty dialog capture the look and feel of upper crust London. Christopher Guest has a small but significant - and quite funny - role as a person vital to the review's success. Mrs. Henderson's true reason for her enterprise is eventually revealed, and it brings a bittersweet moment during the London Blitz. This delightful story played to an appreciative audience at the Austin Film Festival.
Frears seems able to helm any story well. The look and tone is as far from "The Grifers" or "Dirty Pretty Things" as you can get - but the story is equally compelling. Credit for the sparkle must also be given to writer Martin Sherman, who also wrote "Bent" and "Callas Forever." Whatever mood you're in when this film opens, you'll leave with a smile.
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