It offers a feel-good experience, but without the heavy dose of schmaltz that often accompanies such a production.
80
The Hollywood ReporterMichael Rechtshaffen
The Hollywood ReporterMichael Rechtshaffen
An absolute delight from start to finish.
70
Chicago ReaderAndrea Gronvall
Chicago ReaderAndrea Gronvall
Posh meets prole in this period drama elegantly directed by Stephen Frears (Dangerous Liaisons, Prick Up Your Ears).
70
Village Voice
Village Voice
This is Dame Judi's show. However extraordinary an actor she may be, she cannot conceal the obvious fact that she's having the time of her life here. Isn't that delicious?
Poking fun at uptight British civility has long been a monocle-shattering comedic staple, and Mrs. Henderson Presents gets by for a while on its genial naughtiness.
A bigscreen feature executed with a cookie-cutter small-screen sensibility, this often charming but untextured fact-based period piece is buoyed along by the redoubtable Judi Dench.
Watching this reasonably funny, professionally assembled calculation is a little like snuggling up in front of the television with a mug of hot cocoa and a warm blanket. Those who prefer their drinks and recreation spiked would do well to look elsewhere.
50
Entertainment WeeklyOwen Gleiberman
Entertainment WeeklyOwen Gleiberman
This makes for a friendly romp, and also a dull one.
50
L.A. WeeklyElla Taylor
L.A. WeeklyElla Taylor
Stephen Frears has had more downs than ups of late, but I would never have thought the man responsible for "My Beautiful Laundrette" and "The Grifters" capable of stooping to pap as pappy as this unbearably chipper take on the real-life story of Laura Henderson.