A Triumph Of Human Spirit

Inspired by real events, "Mrs. Henderson Presents" is a touching story of one extraordinary woman's

creative and unconventional lifeaffirming

response to war's destructive effect on the human spirit. Living in London in 1937, Mrs. Laura Henderson (Judi Dench) is an older, affluent, politically connected, unconventional and freespirited woman searching for new ways to re-invent herself following her husband's death. Friends' suggestions of hobbies or working for charities are attempted, but fail miserably as she appears ill suited for both. Henderson's loneliness and isolation are compounded by the loss of her only son, who at age 21 was killed in battle and buried in France, where she faithfully visits his gravesite.

Declaring herself "bored with widowhood", Henderson buys an abandoned theater which she plans to completely renovate and convert into a venue for vaudeville. Being a newcomer to the world of theater, following a stormy interview, she hires an experienced manager, Vivian Van Damm (Bob Hoskins) to handle all business details and planning. After Henderson agrees to Van Damm's demand for total control of production, their volatile business relationship begins. It will eventually lead to theatrical success. This quirky, challenging, love-hate connection is characterized by exchanges of sarcastic barbs, one-liners, verbal oneupmanship and becomes the hallmark of the film. While it is no surprise that Judi Dench is at her best, Bob Hoskins' performance is a revelation. He is able to successfully compete in their battle of wits and the result is magical chemistry between the two characters.

The Windmill Theater experiences early success as a venue for musical revues, but eventually fails because of competition from copycat theaters. Henderson responds to this crisis by considering tastefully featuring partially nude girls ("like in Paris"). When Van Damm balks at the suggestion, Henderson accuses him of being "bourgeois", and campaigns to win the approval of the Lord Chamberlain (Christopher Guest), the English government official largely responsible for censorship, whom she has known since he was a child. After she wines and dines and thoroughly cajoles and manipulates him, he reluctantly gives his permission, with the proviso that the girls appear stationary in tableau settings at all times. The Windmill Theater develops into a haven for entertainment, a refuge from war and a catalyst for raising the spirit and morale of the sold-out audiences, predominantly soldiers. The Windmill also eventually becomes the only theater to remain open during the German bombing of London, since it was built underground and the performers agree to live there temporarily.

One weaker subplot involving one of the main female performers ends tragically. It is largely eclipsed by the main theme of the relationship between Henderson and Van Damm.

Citing issues of wartime public safety relating to crowds gathering in public venues, the Lord Chamberlain declares that the Windmill Theatre must be closed. The film concludes with Henderson finally revealing the personal motivation behind her unconventional theatrical venture in an awe-inspiring public speech to a large crowd of faithful theater supporters and press. "Mrs. Henderson Presents" is a truly rewarding film experience.