wow. really.
interesting…

so..longer than two episodes of The Office? So what does this movie run then, like 45 minutes? Cause, ya know, with DVR you just fast forward commercials…so 30 minute shows are really only about 22 minutes…(more random babbling)

I liked Mrs. Henderson Presents. But then again, Judi Dench could belch for an hour and a half on camera and I’d think it was brilliant.

Aly,

In the back of my mind, I remembered that you (as well as other creative folks whose opinions I revere) liked that movie. I was afraid that my link might cause consternation. It was one of those movies that, for me, the politics ruined the plot (Chocolat, anyone?). Once Judi D. made her big speech at the end explaining why she was doing what she was doing, I was checked out. She is absolutely mezmerizing, however. I’m hot for old english chicks.

Dan - I was implying that the movie was a bit longer then two episodes of the average hour long TV show (which runs 42-44 min.) I’ve come to deeply appreciate TV as a storytelling medium over the past few years, but TV has a problem: they can’t really finish a story until they’re ready to cancel the show. Normally by that time, they’ve run out of good ideas two seasons before (ahem… Alias??? anyone?!?!?!)

It makes me REALLY appreciate artists with a finite structure. When I read that the producers of LOST were going to cap it at seven seasons, my heart rejoiced with exceeding great joy. Mike will weigh in about how Lost has… well… lost it’s way, but he’s wrong. :) As self appointed chief media correspondant for Addison, I have the final authority on such issues. You all will be notified of your opinions in good time.

Here’s the real test. I saw it on a plane ride to Boston where I didn’t have headphones, so just the visuals. Amazing acting, simply amazing acting. Helen Mirren clearly is one of the great, although unknown outside England, actors.

I object to Chad’s self appointment, especially since in the same post he admitted that he liked the funny and naked bits of Mrs. Henderson but couldn’t listen to an old lady’s pain for a bit. [rolls eyes] Pervert. Nothing personal, you understand. Those ladies were delish. And what about Chocolat, homes?

I don’t know, Bill, I think Helen is only unknown to non-indie-watchers. But then, I know the life history of totally random actors like Tommy Flanagan (or at least, all the life history I can glean from the tubes without getting too stalker-ish). Not to be cool and knowledgable about random movie crap, but because I’m obsessed with some of the bit-parters because…I’m weird. You heard it here first.

Not that I think Helen Mirren’s random. Or a bit-parter.

Cerise

Ok… here was my beef with Mrs. Henderson. For those who have not seen it, the film depicts the story of a wealthy English woman who opens a nude burlesque show during WW2 that shocked, offended, and… whatever… the English establishment of the time. It turned out to be the ONLY venue that didn’t close in the entire duration of the war.

So, here’s my problem. Mrs. Henderson’s motivation remains unexplained until the end of the film. Finally, she opens up and tells a story of how she found a naught picture amidst the things of her son, who had died in WW1. She became profoundly impacted by the notion that these young men, asked to give everything so that their nation might survive, deserved a little fun before they died.

I start asking myself… “So, lemme get this straight. The injusice of young men sacrificing themselves on the altar of war is made right by some T and A?” It seemed like a pretty weenie anti-war statement, if you ask me. I just didn’t buy it.

As for Chocolat, I will have to see it again one of these days, but the thing that I remember pissing me off was that the filmmakers message seemed to be that every religious person was an obsessive maniac and that sex with Johnny Depp and chocolate was the solution. Unfortunately, the more time I spend with religious people, I am becoming increasingly concerned that they were correct. I want YOU, Johnny.

For the record, I protest ALL films that make a political or “message” statement and do so clumsily. If I want to hear clumsy political statements, I’ll watch the State of the Union address tonight. The moment I feel that the characters were nothing but pawns strategically placed for the author to make his or her point, I get angry, and I feel tricked. Life is not so damn black and white, and REAL characters are not cheap political pinatas. It’s my movie pet peeve. I think it’s a crutch for writers who lack the skill to craft art that reflects life.

There’s a moment at the end of The Queen where she absolutely nails Tony Blair with a statment that is, no doubt, the filmmakers indictment of his role in the Iraq war. It’s done with subtlety, grace, and truth.