Mrs Henderson Presents (2005)

While her friends are doing embroidery to get their kicks, feisty Mrs. Henderson, a new widow, buys an empty theater on a whim. After an initial flush of success, imitators drive down her profits until she comes up with the novel idea to "get rid of the clothes."

Although there is a LOT of nudity in this movie, it's not voyeuristic -- nor are the naked women the most interesting element of the movie. If anything, what's happening onstage becomes pretty boring pretty quickly. The Windmill Theater might have its place in English history for breaking taboos and remaining open throughout World War II, but it's pretty much standard song and dance with a couple of naked women posing motionless as backdrops.

The real fire in this film comes from the chemistry between Mrs Henderson and the theater manager. They bicker charmingly -- both fighting for control, both constantly exasperated with the other, both holding obvious admiration for the other. Judi Dench and Bob Hoskins provide some heart in the roles, but there's simply not enough story to keep the movie clipping along.

B-