#1
Posted: 11/25/05 at 1:58pm
Is there any buzz about this film in the US? I see it's opening in limited release on December 9th, when the whole of the US is going to be watching Narnia or Brokeback Mountain, then opening wide on December 25th. That day is, I thought, considered the prime day to release "award" films. So I was wondering if there was any buzz.
It opened in the UK today and I saw it this afternoon. It's the true story of Mrs Henderson (played by Judi Dench) who, after her husband dies, buys a theatre and stages Vaudeville style revue shows. When the whole of the West End copies her and steals her business, she breaks new ground by putting naked women on stage in the revue. Bob Hoskins plays her long suffering manager and Kelly Reilly is the star of the show. In more ways than one.
It's total fun for the vast majority of the film, with Dame Judi on fine comic form, armed with some endlessly quotable asides. But then the Second World War encroaches on the joy (the film covers the years 1937-41) and the film takes a more dramatic and on occasion grandstanding turn. I do wonder how Bob Hoskins gets work though.
Kelly Reilly, who is currently unknown in the US I believe, is wonderful as the girl who is "discovered" and goes on to be the main naked attraction. She has been steadily making a name for herself in the UK with a string of TV roles and some highly acclaimed stage roles (I have seen her on stage in 4 different shows and she has been remarkable in all of them, particularly in the title role of After Miss Julie). While this isn't the role that's likely to win her a bucketload of awards, hopefully people will sit up and take notice.
It opened in the UK today and I saw it this afternoon. It's the true story of Mrs Henderson (played by Judi Dench) who, after her husband dies, buys a theatre and stages Vaudeville style revue shows. When the whole of the West End copies her and steals her business, she breaks new ground by putting naked women on stage in the revue. Bob Hoskins plays her long suffering manager and Kelly Reilly is the star of the show. In more ways than one.
It's total fun for the vast majority of the film, with Dame Judi on fine comic form, armed with some endlessly quotable asides. But then the Second World War encroaches on the joy (the film covers the years 1937-41) and the film takes a more dramatic and on occasion grandstanding turn. I do wonder how Bob Hoskins gets work though.
Kelly Reilly, who is currently unknown in the US I believe, is wonderful as the girl who is "discovered" and goes on to be the main naked attraction. She has been steadily making a name for herself in the UK with a string of TV roles and some highly acclaimed stage roles (I have seen her on stage in 4 different shows and she has been remarkable in all of them, particularly in the title role of After Miss Julie). While this isn't the role that's likely to win her a bucketload of awards, hopefully people will sit up and take notice.
Nothing precious, plain to see, don't make a fuss over me. Not loud, not soft, but somewhere inbetween. Say sorry, just let it be the word you mean.
. I didn't know Kelly Reilly was in Pride And Prejudice, ugh does this mean I have to see that movie now?
