Mrs. Henderson Presents MPAA Rating: R Entertainment: +3 Content: -3

This comedic drama is inspired by a true story about a wealthy English widow, Mrs. Laura Henderson (Judi Dench), in 1937. Out of boredom, she resurrects a vacated theater in the West End of London and hires Vivian Van Damm (Bob Hoskins) to run it. The two clash as eccentric Mrs. Hendersons meddling and criticisms fail to intimidate the confident Mr. Van Damm. Much to his dismay, she insists on spicing up the show with nude showgirls. The results are hilarious, and her Windmill Theater becomes the toast of London. Colorful musical numbers performed by professional dancers and singers against a backdrop of statuesque nude women bring the house down, especially for the young soldiers fighting for England as World War II escalates. The volatile business relationship of Mrs. Henderson and Mr. Van Damm slowly evolves into a friendship of mutual respect and admiration.

The only way the Windmill Theater can get a license for nudity is for the nudes to remain perfectly still, as statues in an art museum. When the voluptuous young women hired refuse to disrobe for their first rehearsal because the stagehands are watching, the men enthusiastically remove their clothing, shocking everyone. Then the girls start chanting for Mr. Van Damm to do likewise, and he too obliges. Another time, a mischievous man releases a mouse onto the stage, creating mayhem as the nude women scream and run off, and the audience roars with delight. Mrs. Henderson cares deeply for her girls, making sure they are safe during the Blitz. Both she and Van Damm treat them as family and demand respect for them. Mrs. Henderson uses the only two strong obscenities spoken. And while the nudity is not lewd or in a sexual context, the frequency of it and full-frontal male exposure is shocking and offensive.

Preview Reviewer: Mary Draughon
Distributor: The Weinstein Co.