Movie Review: Mrs. Henderson Presents

Another remake movie for the big screen, Mrs. Henderson Presents is a musical comedy/drama set in the mid 1930s. A variety show that turns burlesque for profit and national fiber.

Mrs. Henderson (Judy Dench), yes - the new "M" from the James Bond Movies, is a newly widowed British aristocrat who doesn't have a clue of what to do with her new found time and money. After floundering in a futile attempt to pass the days, she finds an outlet to her unspent energy. She proceeds to purchase and revitalize an old theatre and hires Vivian Van Damm (Bob Hoskins) to run it for her.

The conflicted duo creates a show that is a smash hit that turns flop. To encourage an audience, Mrs. Henderson suggests that they copy the French and have the women in the production be nude. What follows is a battle of wits, wills and to get the new show sanctioned.

Meanwhile, World War II comes to the forefront and becomes a driving influence on the story.

The story begins revolving around the power struggle between owner and manager with romantic overtones. Where we end up is a struggle to keep a nation continuing with its life in the middle of a war.

Although this movie has some brilliant comedic dialog, the portrayal of characters in not very convincing. What this movie does have in abundance is really poor 1930's infused musical numbers performed by some well trained vocalists and an abundance of full frontal nudity.

If you can turn off your brain for a while and let the surroundings envelop you, you might actually feel as though you were transported to a different time and place.

I wouldn't recommend this one as a theatre necessary experience. Watching this film reminded me of the feeling of watching old Abbot and Costello shows on lazy Saturday afternoons. The major difference in the experience was all of the abundant flesh available for your viewing pleasure.

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