TEA WITH THE DAMES


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-

14 thoughts on “TEA WITH THE DAMES

  1. maggie Mason

    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

    Reply
    1. george Post author

      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.

      Reply
    1. george Post author

      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.

      Reply

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