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Mrs. Henderson Presents
By Maria Llull,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
An unexpectedly classy film. Not for kids.
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What you will—and won't—find in this movie.
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What's the Story?
Newly widowed, wealthy Londoner Mrs. Henderson (Judi Dench) is dissatisfied with the lifestyle led by her fellow widow friends. On a whim, she buys a theatre, renovates it, and hires seasoned Vivian Van Damm (Bob Hoskins) to run the show. After the theatre opens to short-lived rave reviews, it starts losing money. Van Damm thinks it best to close but Mrs. Henderson laughs off the "defeat" and decides the best way to fill the house is to add nudity to the show. Nudity isn't allowed in the theatre, but they are able to find a loophole in the law that permits it if the models stay perfectly still. The show is a hit, especially with soldiers newly embroiled in World War II. The business partners are strong-willed and non-conventional and inevitably lock horns. But they build a strong sense of mutual respect in a partnership where both are able to get what they need.
Is It Any Good?
MRS. HENDERSON PRESENTS is an artfully and lovingly made film about human frailty and the joy of being fully alive. Mrs. Henderson seems frivolous at first, but by the end of the movie it's apparent that she's driven by love, most especially a mother's love for a son lost in World War I.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about nudity and why it's so taboo in many parts of the world. Families can alsp also talk about war and how it can change a person's perspective.
Movie Details
- In theaters: July 25, 2005
- On DVD or streaming: April 18, 2006
- Cast: Bob Hoskins , Christopher Guest , Judi Dench
- Director: Stephen Frears
- Studio: Weinstein Co.
- Genre: Comedy
- Run time: 103 minutes
- MPAA rating: R
- MPAA explanation: Nudity and language
- Last updated: June 20, 2023
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