Naked Women On Stage!!! (Mrs Henderson Presents (DVD))

Name: luseantom

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Product:	Mrs Henderson Presents (DVD)
Date:	28/02/06 (8675 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: very funny in parts, Will Young is in it

Disadvantages: Can be a bit slow

I really wanted to see this film as soon as I knew it was going to be made, mainly because Will Young appeared in it. So as soon as it was released off I popped to my local cinema, not quite knowing what to expect.

The film is set around the start of the second world war, Mrs Henderson played by Judy Dench is recently widow, She is a wealthy woman and not used to being alone, she goes to her friend Lady Conway (Thelma Barlow) for advice on what to do. Lady Conway tells her that being a widow is easy, there is no one stopping her from doing the things she wants and spending what she likes.

Mrs Henderson passes by an old run down theatre for sale when she comes up with the idea to buy it. The problem is she hasn't a clue on how to run a theatre so she enlists the help of Vivian Van Damm a theatrical director. Together they come up with the concept of a non stop musical revue. The show will perform all day from dawn till dusk. With Vivians help the show is a success until every other theatre starts to copy them. So they have to come up with a different idea, A nude musical revue.
So for the first time ever in the United Kingdom we have naked women on stage, although it isn't all that simple. Will the show be a success or will it be a huge flop.

The film is based on a true on a true story and whilst it tends to be rather slow in places the film does come to life and tells a very good story. Judy Dench is a wonderful actress and this role suits her brilliantly, she plays the newly widowed Mrs Henderson, but whilst all her friends and associates are stuck up snobs she proves to be the life and soul of the party. She is the lady that comes up with the Nude Idea, and you can tell right away that she is used to getting her own way. Her onscreen relationship with Bob Hoskins as the oddly matched pair fits perfectly and they have a great chemistry. Bob Hoskins plays the Dutch, Jewish Vivian van damm amongst the hard time in the war Vivian still manages to keep his chin up although his family is being killed. Bob Hoskins is extremely amusing at times. We also see Bob in the nude, which is quite shocking.

Will Young Plays Bertie, a theatrical actor who Vivian has pinched from the palladium. He doesn't really say much but his first lines tell us that he is Gay. He is the person that cheers up the women when they are tired and down, and he helps to make them comfortable when they first have to strip off their clothes, by getting everyone to strip off first. Will proves that he not only has an amazing singing talent but also that he can act. Although he doesn't have a major part in the film she proves that he could quite well hold his own in a major role.

Newcomer Kelly Reilly who plays Maureen the leading lady in the revue is a very good actress and one to look out for in the future. Thelma Barlow who plays Lady Conway is best known as Mavis Wilton from Coronation Street, and to be honest she
plays the same sort of character as Mavis, although with a lot more wealth.

The special effects are not brilliant in this film, as alot of the War scenes are actual film reels of the real war, all in black and white, which takes away the reality of the film a bit, there are a few scenes were they have tried to re-create the war but not in a great way. The costumes are especially good i love they dresses and suits that they used to wear back in them days, The men with their Simon Cowell trousers and the women in their posh floral frocks.

This film will make you laugh throughout it but it will also bring some tears. I really liked it, although I didn't love it, I was very disappointed when I had waited all night to see Will Young Naked, that you only catch a glimpse of his bottom. There are a lot of Breasts in the film so this is definatly one for the blokes. But it is also a tale of romance and heartache, so the ladies will love it too.

I would recommend watching it, if only the once, it is an emotional film at times but a classic tale of Love, War and a touch of Humour.

Thanks for reading

Lynz xx

Summary: film only review