Director Roger Mitchell (best known for Notting Hill) sets up some cameras while legendary actresses Dame Maggie Smith, Dame Eileen Atkins, Dame Judi Dench, and Dame Joan Plowright chat about their careers, their husbands (Plowright was married to Sir Lawrence Olivier), and their futures. All four women are in their 80s and suffer from a number of physical problems. But, despite the years, these wonderful actresses liven up the screen talking about roles won and lost. Eileen Atkins admits to turning down the role of Cleopatra FOUR TIMES because she didn’t think she was beautiful enough. Roger Mitchell includes footage from various movies and archival clips of these actresses in action over the decades. These four friends have been meeting together for years and their interaction shows us another softer and funnier side to these stars.
My favorite line in Tea With the Dames comes from Judi Dench’s then husband, Michael Williams. Dench took the role of James Bond’s boss, M, when Williams told her, “I long to live with a Bond woman.” GRADE: A-
I bet Jackie will want to see this.
Jeff, listening to four friends talk about their careers was entertaining. The film clips liven things up.
I’m looking forward to this. If I’d stayed in Chicago another couple of weeks, I’d be going to a viewing party there
Maggie, TEA WITH THE DAMES suddenly showed up here this week. No previews, no trailers, no commercials. I’m not sure it will stay long which is why Diane and I saw TEA WITH THE DAMES yesterday.
This came and went in a week here so I missed it.
Patti, we feared the same thing would happen here so we dropped everything yesterday and went to see TEA WITH THE DAMES. Loved it!
I found it in several places on the computer. Look around.
Oh, it might be under the original title, NOTHING LIKE A DAME.
I just checked and I still have my nuggets, so, PAAAASSS! I don’t like Densch anyway!
Bob, betters in New York State are upset that the State wants to close down FAN DUEL, the sports “investment” site. A friend of mine won $27,000 on FAN DUEL last year.
George, I liked NOTTING HILL, so I’m sure I’ll also enjoy watching TEA WITH THE DAMES, plus it has Judi Dench and Maggie Smith as a big bonus.
Prashant, you’ll enjoy the back-and-forth conversation with these friends who are great actresses.
I’m dying to see this, George.
Now I’ll hunt around online to see if it’s playing anywhere near me.
Beth, I’m sure TEA WITH THE DAMES will pop up on HULU or Netflix in the weeks ahead. It only stayed one week in Buffalo and was gone.