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Supposedly based on true events, this story tells of a rich widow (Judi Dench)in Pre- and then WW II wartime London who buys a theater and prevails upon an experienced theater manager (Bob Hoskins) to run it. They decide to operate it continuously and the show becomes an instant hit. When initial enthusiasm flags, Dench hits upon the idea of using nude young women on stage, although negotiations with the authorities result in a compromise requiring that the girls must be in static poses and not move. Still, this packs the house night after night, especially when war breaks out and the Blitz ensues. Hoskins, a married Dutch Jew, and Dench (who never got over the loss of her son in WW I) constantly battle over everything, even though they secretly like (love?) each other. Somewhat predictable and wouldn't be anywhere near as interesting without the nudity but it is light and entertaining.
Follow Ups:
I confiscated the d.v.d. from my parents house, having never heard about it. Predictable? I would agree, though with Hoskins and Dench on board, the fun is the voyage, not the destination. And seeing Hoskins drop trou was funny. Not a film that will change life as we know it, but one that brings a smile to the face. And the scene with Dench and Christoper Guest (who was the real suprise for me in this film, and for the good) while enjoying tea discussing the "midlands", was great.The extras were also good. Former dancers mingling with the current actors. A history of the actual theater is also discussed. She apparently left the theater to him when she died. I think there was a great undercurrent of a great love story, based upon mutual respect, without the sex.
It might be different being a Londoner, but the Windmill has always been a part of the local folklore.
I enjoyed this film a lot, but its not serious in a heavy way and I doubt it would have been as interesting without the regulat song and dance interludes.
The scenes on the roof looking out across east London while the bombs were falling was a bit of a heart tugger as it made me think of the fact that my family would have been on the receiving end of those bombs.
Its what I would call a small film, where the broad sweep of history seems secondary to the characters, but I thought it very entertaining.
Dench and Hoskins rarely give bad performances, although I was surprised to see Hoskins stripping off...
Here is some info about The Windmill...http://experts.about.com/e/w/wi/windmill_theatre.htm
Thanks. Yes, seeing Hoskins' Full Monty is about as off putting as Kathy Bates in "About Schmidt".
I am one up on you. See Kathy Bates in the full monty in At Play in the Fields of the Lord.
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