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Mrs. Henderson Presents (2005)

tomatometer

67

Average Rating: 6.6/10
Reviews Counted: 137
Fresh: 92 | Rotten: 45

Judi Dench and Bob Hoskins shine in this warm, witty period piece.

74

Average Rating: 6.8/10
Critic Reviews: 39
Fresh: 29 | Rotten: 10

Judi Dench and Bob Hoskins shine in this warm, witty period piece.

audience

64

liked it
Average Rating: 3.3/5
User Ratings: 49,872

My Rating

Movie Info

A recently widowed eccentric with money to burn and no intentions of settling down enlists the aide of a showbiz professional to transform a run-down theater in Soho into London's most innovative entertainment hot spot in director Stephen Frears' cinematic account of the groundbreaking Windmill Theater. The year is 1937 and, despite having recently lost her husband, 69-year-old Laura Henderson (Judy Dench) remains as ambitious and vital as ever. Aghast at her friend Lady Conway's (Thelma Barlow)

R,

Drama, Comedy

Martin Sherman

Apr 18, 2006

$11.0M

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All Critics (146) | Top Critics (42) | Fresh (94) | Rotten (47) | DVD (22)

Though nudity will keep this from being a family film, for those who love the family of the theater, this postcard from its past is worth framing in your heart.

February 3, 2006 Full Review Source: Houston Chronicle
Houston Chronicle
Top Critic IconTop Critic

If you're attracted to movies whose charms involve recollecting simpler times, Mrs. Henderson will do nicely.

February 3, 2006
Denver Rocky Mountain News
Top Critic IconTop Critic

The greatest pleasure of Mrs. Henderson Presents is watching two of the grandest British lions taking their talents for a long walk.

February 3, 2006 Full Review Source: Denver Post
Denver Post
Top Critic IconTop Critic

A lively period piece elevated by a winning pair of leads.

February 2, 2006 Full Review Source: Arizona Republic
Arizona Republic
Top Critic IconTop Critic

An unexpectedly classy film. Not for kids.

January 2, 2011 Full Review Source: Common Sense Media
Common Sense Media

Hoskins and Dench share a unique chemistry that pierces the story's heavy-handed construction.

April 16, 2009 Full Review Source: ColeSmithey.com
ColeSmithey.com

Mrs Henderson's irrepressible dominance ensures that all the other characters in her orbit seem static and soulless, not unlike the girls in the theatre's nude tableaux.

August 2, 2007 Full Review Source: Eye for Film
Eye for Film

Filled with delightful dialogue from beginning to end, there's chemistry and tension aplenty in this bittersweet character study.

May 30, 2007 Full Review Source: Upstage Magazine
Upstage Magazine

There's chemistry and tension aplenty in this bittersweet character study.

May 20, 2007 Full Review Source: DallasBlack.com
DallasBlack.com

One of those "prestige" pictures that you can watch with your dear old Mom ... provided your Mom won't be offended by the unclothed young ladies.

April 8, 2007 Full Review Source: Cinematical
Cinematical

Don't expect sex, satire or "upstairs/downstairs" irony, just a good song, a flash of sequins and the possibility of a wartime romance--oh, the joys of nostalgia!

March 1, 2007 Full Review Source: Film Journal International
Film Journal International

The breast movie of the year ...

July 27, 2006 Full Review

Audience Reviews for Mrs. Henderson Presents

The recently widowed Mrs. Henderson has no idea what to do with her life and her vast amount of cash. Her friend suggests she gets herself a hobby, and after pricking her finger doing some embroidery she instead decides to buy a rundown theatre. She hires theatre manager Bob Hoskins to take over and run a musical review which all goes fine and dandy until everyone copies them. They decide to do something more daring and so have nudes on the stage. The film has the classical polite British putdowns and absurd but brilliant satirical moments. The nudes are not allowed to move, because then it's art. The musical numbers are quite fun and inventive and the verbal fisticuffs between Dench and Hoskins is brilliant. They each give us a warm but strict character and there is a lot of chemistry, which makes it even more interesting when the film shrugs off the romance angle between the pair. In the latter half after the war kicks off the film inevitably loses some of its warm colourful charm, but reflects the time period accordingly. A great supporting cast, especially Guest in a hilarious role, bring alive those little moments. A joyful feel good movie that gives a lot of heart.
August 21, 2012
kiriyamakazou

Super Reviewer

A great little English film with a great English casting line up. Including Kelly Reilly a very good actress on the rise, who will be well known to UK audiences in Above Suspicion, as the star of a West end show where the girls perform naked. Set during the 2nd world war, it shows the quirky, eccentric and fighting spirit of the people at the time. The film whizzes by very quickly, with a great cast, lovely girls this was a quirky comedy/drama that was more entertaining than I expected.
January 8, 2007
Deano78

Super Reviewer

    1. Laura Henderson: Mr. van Damm, you are Jewish.
    – Submitted by Frances H (3 months ago)
    1. Vivian Van Damm: Anyone can have talent.
    – Submitted by Frances H (3 months ago)
    1. Vivian Van Damm: We must have British nipples.
    – Submitted by Frances H (3 months ago)
    1. Laura Henderson: I'm bored with widowhood...I have to smile at everybody. I've never had to smile at everybody. In India there were always people to look down on.
    2. Vivian Van Damm: People are merely being sympathetic. After all, you have lost your husband.
    3. Laura Henderson: I didn't mislay him. It was most inconsiderate of Robert to die. What on earth am I supposed to do now?
    4. Vivian Van Damm: The first rule of widowhood, my dear. Important conversations occur at lunch.
    – Submitted by Frances H (3 months ago)

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Foreign Titles

  • Lady Henderson präsentiert (DE)
  • Madame Henderson présente (FR)
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