Mrs. Henderson Presents

Period nostalgia is drenched in sentimentality and calculated cliché in this old-fashioned comedy-drama, which combines a colorful theatrical background with an air of genteel naughtiness and a prima donna star turn from Oscar-nominated Judi Dench. The result seems like a Masterpiece Theatre episode with a little skin added for the paying customers, and in this it mimics the supposedly fact-based narrative, in which the heroine, a crusty aristocratic widow, tires of the sedate life of a social gadfly and decides to reopen a long-shuttered West End theatre as a site for risqué musical revues. She hires an experienced but gruff impresario (Bob Hoskins) to operate the place, and though they're unlike one another, the pair eventually come to respect each other and develop a mutual affection. The episodic plot built around the couple involves the personal problems of the performers they hire; their efforts to keep the theatre open during the WWII London Blitz; and—most importantly—a plan to boost attendance by adding some discreet, tasteful female nudity to the show. Most of the fun of Mrs. Henderson Presents comes from Dench, who deftly mixes a haughty air with an acerbic tongue, and Hoskins, who complements her with a nicely understated turn. Unfortunately, too much of the movie consists of flat musical routines, melodramatic twists involving the girls, and teary revelations. Optional. [Note: Available in either widescreen or full screen versions, DVD extras include audio commentary by director Stephen Frears, a 24-minute “making-of” featurette, a photo gallery, and trailers. Bottom line: a decent extras package for an uneven film.] (F. Swietek)