Review of Mrs. Henderson Presents (2005) by Sara B — 24 Mar 2008

Another brilliant movie by Judi Dench. I swear I would pay to see her act the phone book. She plays "society battle-axe" better than anyone around. I think she's even better at it than Maggie Smith (and that is saying a great deal). I am putting this performance up in her top three (the other two being her cameo in Shakespeare in Love and her delightfully weird character in Tea with Mussolini).

Basically all I can say is "charming". The movie is thoroughly charming in a way only British movies can be. America hasn't yet figured out how to make this type of film. It's funny, but poignant and, while centering on trivialities, manages to (without really spelling it out) get into some heavy thoughts on loss during war. It's fluff, but you'll cry at least once, and I actually guffawed (yes me) at some of their quips on auditioning. It centers around one of those great, ambiguous, sexless, flirty relationships that (again) seem to be the province of UK directors. Kudos to Bob Hoskins for producing this gem and for his performance in it. Watching Dench and him fence is fantastic. I also enjoyed the fact that, as a period film, they had the courage to put period bodies up on the screen. It was a nice touch. Costumes were very good (high praise from me). The only things I could say against it are that some of the bluescreen work is poorly lit, which leaves the actors looking a bit like the tinman in OZ; and that the end panders a bit to the American need for romance requited, but only a very little bit . But on the whole, it was a beautiful film and a thoroughly good afternoon spent at the movies. $10.50 so very well spent! So much fun.