
Recently widowed well-to-do Mrs. Laura Henderson (Dame Judi Dench) is at a bit of a loose end in inter-war London. On a whim, she buys the derelict Windmill theatre in the West End and persuades impresario Vivian Van Damm (Bob Hoskins) to run it, despite the fact the two don't seem to get along at all. Although their idea of a non-stop revue is at first a success, other theatres copy it and disaster looms. Laura suggests they put nudes in the show, but Van Damm points out tha... (Full plot summary below)
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Recently widowed well-to-do Mrs. Laura Henderson (Dame Judi Dench) is at a bit of a loose end in inter-war London. On a whim, she buys the derelict Windmill theatre in the West End and persuades impresario Vivian Van Damm (Bob Hoskins) to run it, despite the fact the two don't seem to get along at all. Although their idea of a non-stop revue is at first a success, other theatres copy it and disaster looms. Laura suggests they put nudes in the show, but Van Damm points out that the Lord Chamberlain, Lord Rowland Baring, 2nd Earl of Cromer (Christopher Guest), who licenses live shows in Britain, is likely to have something to say about this. Luckily, Mrs. Henderson is friends with him.
Leave your thoughts about Mrs. Henderson Presents.
| Zap2it.comDan FienbergThe film has its greatest spark when Hopkins and Dench are on screen together and those moments are far too rare in its second half. |
| Los Angeles Daily NewsGlenn WhippA not-so- grand star vehicle for the Grand Dame. |
| Modamag.comSusan GrangerIt's a classy, laugh-out-loud crowd pleaser with dual tour-de-force performances by Judi Dench and Bob Hoskins. |
| culturevulture.netArthur LazereAn opportunity missed for an entertainment of more substance, but Frears keeps it light and Dench keeps it afloat for a charming and stylish, if essentially forgettable, excursion into British nostalgia. |
| jackiekcooper.comJackie K. CooperJudi Dench shines but her movie is a little sketchy |
| Laramie Movie ScopeRobert RotenMainly an excuse for the entertainment industry to toot its own horn, again. |
| Chicago TribuneMichael PhillipsA dear film, sentimental and fond, full of beautifully acted British resolve. |
| ColeSmithey.comCole SmitheyHoskins and Dench share a unique chemistry that pierces the story's heavy-handed construction. |
| New York PostLou LumenickConstantly battling, Hoskins and Dench have terrific chemistry together. |
| ReelViewsJames BerardinelliIt offers a feel-good experience, but without the heavy dose of schmaltz that often accompanies such a production. |