esrosedotblog

BACKSTAGE

Today's Stephen Frears' movie was

Mrs. Henderson Presents (2006)

This is a standard wartime backstage/musical show movie. But in Frears' hands it becomes a bit better than a melodrama and becomes very affecting and enjoyable. He does some neat twists on the convention as well.

I am not a fan of Judi Dench who plays Ms. H. but she is reined in here and does rather well. I do like Bob Hodgkins very much and he is a good counterbalance when Ms D. as Ms H. spins out.

The acting support here is very good. Frears manages to sail by with newsreel footage instead of spending money on planes. There is a great and obvious diorama view from the "roof of the theater" which, in spite of its toylike look, somehow makes the show of bombs and searchlights creepier and, ironically, more beautiful than the real thing might.

No CGI! Yay!

I have seen this before and would be willing to see it again. That makes it a Netflix5 out of Netflix5.

Labels: films