| Overall Grade: |
A |
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| Story: |
A |
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| Acting: |
A+ |
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| Direction: |
A- |
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| Visuals: |
A |
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An Absolute Gem of a Film!
by Jan (movies profile)
May 22, 2007
20
of
21 people found this review helpful
Both Dame Judi Dench and Bob Hoskins shine in this fun, entertaining film. Judi Dench plays the feisty, tart-tongued widow, Mrs. Henderson. At the lunch following her husband's funeral, Mrs. Henderson tells her friend, "It was so inconvenient of my husband to die. Now I have to be nice to people. I never had to be nice to them before. He was always nice to them." In a nutshell, that line gives you the essence of the character of Mrs. Henderson -- no nonsense, determined, witty, and a survivor.
Bob Hoskins character, Mr. Van Damm, is definitely his own man. When Mrs. Henderson is 20 minutes late for his interview, he tells her representative that he's not so desperate as to wait for someone who is that late ... enter Mrs. Henderson and thus we have the beginning of a wonderful love-hate relationship.
The premise of the story, to buy a theatre and bring it back to life again, is a wonderful twist on the old-school thought of a widow should only do needlework and buy jewelry. This film is full of surprises, especially when the girls have to do their first nude rehearsal. Be sure to listen closely to catch Judi's line about confirming her knowledge of Mr. Van Damm's Jewish heritage -- it's classic.
As WWII and the blitz hit London, the Windmill Theatre is the only theatre still giving performances. It is a hit with the servicemen and a headache for the government. Some of the most touching and funny scenes are delivered as Mrs. Henderson fights to keep the theatre open during the war. Through it all, she is determined to see her dream survive and bring a smile to the face of the soldiers. Her strength and courage is shared by everyone in the theatre, with the result being non-stop performances every day -- Blitz or no.
The wonderfully woven story is a joy. The direction of the film is subtle, as the director brings out the best in each actor without turning the story into a farce. Judi deserves her Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild nominations for this role -- it is one of her best.
You will laugh, perhaps cry, be touched, and walk away from this film feeling good. A definite must see for anyone with a sense of humor and a heart! |
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