TEA WITH THE DAMES

Director
Roger Michell
(NOTTING HILL, MY COUSIN RACHEL, MORNING GLORY)

Stars
Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Eileen Atkins and Joan Plowright

A pot of tea, immeasurable volumes of hearty laughter, and a pinch of age-old wisdom that is shared by our divine dames form the recipe of this utterly pleasant documentary.

The personal friendships of actresses Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Eileen Atkins and Joan Plowright span for more than half a century. These remarkable actresses grant filmmaker Roger Michell exclusive access to stories and experiences from both their professional careers and personal lives, with the use of real-life footage and stills dating back from as early as their childhoods right through to contemporary times.

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Most documentaries importantly contain content that either or both intend to educate and bring to awareness specific matters that are often heavier (yet essential) to digest. Therefore, to watch TEA WITH THE DAMES can quite fittingly be likened to sipping a mug of freshly brewed hot tea – it warms the soul and is refreshing to ingest.

To add to that, it is no exaggeration to state that these ladies, and in particular the magnificent Maggie Smith, are so downright and naturally hilarious, they could offer a formidable rivalry to Hollywood’s present day comedy stars! The audience I shared this screening with laughed so loudly at times, it was impossible to hear what was being said on-screen! Even when the laughter momentarily subsides, the joy felt from watching this very special occasion always stays. It truly is our honour to get to know the extraordinary women behind the performances we’ve come to love them from. On that note, the more knowledge of their respective careers as well as all forms of performing arts from roughly the sixties right through to the eighties that you as a viewer possess, the more inclusive the various discourses of the dames will be. The only less pleasing factor of this documentary is the unnecessary need to be rather intrusive and even insensitive by way of some deeply personal questions that are noticeably unexpected and uninvited. Though they do undoubtedly draw curiosity, I think everyone would have been happier if this footage had been left on the cutting room floor.

So, now that we’ve had the pleasure of attending TEA WITH THE DAMES, what invitation would you like to receive next? How does a Dégustation with the divas sound? Or perhaps a Moët with Meryl!?

3 ½ stars