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Phyllida Lloyd, who directed Meryl Streep in Mamma Mia!, takes a less exuberant tack in this unexpectedly poignant biopic. In the script, written by Shame's Abi Morgan, Lloyd depicts the elderly Dame Thatcher (Streep in a thoroughly convincing performance) as a frail figure replaying key moments in her life while her mind still continues to function. Her trajectory begins with grocer Alfred Roberts (Downton Abbey's Iain Glen), who became the mayor of Grantham, instilling in his daughter, Margaret (Alexandra Roach), a passion for politics. After graduating from Oxford, she felt ready to enter the fray, at which point she met Denis Thatcher (Harry Lloyd), who cheered her along on the road from Parliament to 10 Downing Street, where they lived during her time as Britain's first female prime minister (Jim Broadbent portrays the grey-haired and ghostly Denis). While closing mines, dodging IRA hits, and overseeing a war, the blue-clad titan built alliances with Airey Neave (Nicholas Farrell) and Geoffrey Howe (Anthony Head), but she would lose them both. If her will was strong, she had no time for feminine niceties like conciliation and forgiveness. The film goes on to suggest that she never cultivated the kinds of female friendships that might have sustained her in retirement, though her daughter (Tyrannosaur's Olivia Colman) did what she could. Instead, Denis remained her closest confidante until his departure, after which she had nothing but fading memories. The upshot is an uneasy combination of admiration for her leadership qualities and disappointment in her interpersonal skills. --Kathleen C. Fennessy
Product Description
THE IRON LADY is a surprising and intimate portrait of Margaret Thatcher (Two-time Oscar® winner Meryl Streep), the first and only female Prime Minister of The United Kingdom. One of the 20th century’s most famous and influential women, Thatcher came from nowhere to smash through barriers of gender and class to be heard in a male-dominated world.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
345 of 392 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I saw this movie last night and I was looking forward to seeing it. I don't count myself as a fan of Thatcher's politics, but I do admire her as a person. She had an important role in the fall of the Soviet states and in transforming the American political role in the world. Therefore, I hoped to enjoy a biographical movie that of course would include much of the usual literary license that is part of the Hollywood operation.
What I got, though, left me empty. The role of Thatcher was certainly well performed by Streep and there is nothing for me to add from what others have stated and will state. I'm sure she will obtain another Oscar nomination. If that is all that interests you in movie going, then enjoy! But for those of you with more of an intellectual side, I would suggest waiting for the DVD to rent.
The central problem I believe is that the makers wanted to portray the strong, independent woman, but I have to believe that they dislike her politics and they could not allow a movie viewer the opportunity to agree with the conservatism of Thatcher-especially in a presidential election year. They missed no chance to attach a failure (implied or factual) for any Thatcher success and if that wasn't enough, they portrayed her as a lonely, dementia suffering, old woman for whom time has left behind and for whom the political world has completely forgotten. Here is what troubled me the most; this is a movie about an important political ally for whom one would be ashamed to show the movie to that person. Well, one Should be ashamed anyways.
What also troubles me is that Streep has too much say so in her movies at this stage of her career. She should have stepped in and said, "Enough with these hallucinations, let's show more of this woman's actual career!" Too bad she did not.
What I got, though, left me empty. The role of Thatcher was certainly well performed by Streep and there is nothing for me to add from what others have stated and will state. I'm sure she will obtain another Oscar nomination. If that is all that interests you in movie going, then enjoy! But for those of you with more of an intellectual side, I would suggest waiting for the DVD to rent.
The central problem I believe is that the makers wanted to portray the strong, independent woman, but I have to believe that they dislike her politics and they could not allow a movie viewer the opportunity to agree with the conservatism of Thatcher-especially in a presidential election year. They missed no chance to attach a failure (implied or factual) for any Thatcher success and if that wasn't enough, they portrayed her as a lonely, dementia suffering, old woman for whom time has left behind and for whom the political world has completely forgotten. Here is what troubled me the most; this is a movie about an important political ally for whom one would be ashamed to show the movie to that person. Well, one Should be ashamed anyways.
What also troubles me is that Streep has too much say so in her movies at this stage of her career. She should have stepped in and said, "Enough with these hallucinations, let's show more of this woman's actual career!" Too bad she did not.
149 of 176 people found the following review helpful
By Poogy
Format:DVD
I saw The Iron Lady right before it was widely released, and felt that expectations that Meryl Streep's performance would be incredible were fully justified. Having seen her in many roles, this was not surprising--she's widely regarded as one of the greatest living actresses--but her transformation here into an elderly woman, including the accent, the makeup, the attitudes and personality, is nothing short of astonishing. Thatcher's very conservative politics and abrasive manner are of course very controversial--and this portrayal of them is very timely. To be sure, if you're very sympathetic to Thatcher's politics, you may find this portrayal of her unsympathetic or even offensive; some clearly have. But regardless of the viewer's politics, I can't imagine anyone watching this and not feeling he or she has seen something remarkable.
The story of Thatcher's life is told through a series of flashbacks experienced by the woman long after she left office as the British prime minister with the longest tenure of the 20th century, and its first woman PM. We see how she entered politics, met her husband, rose to power, earned the Iron Lady nickname, and was pushed from office by her own party. For those unfamiliar with her life and politics, it's educational, at least superficially. An attempt is made to deviate from the straightforward biopic format by having Thatcher's mind failing during her old age, resulting in hallucinations about her deceased husband punctuating the film. This device is effective, but still, this is not a great film. It's a not-quite-conventional movie about the life of one historical figure, made interesting primarily by Streep's stunning ability to inhabit her subject, and thereby not only cause us to appreciate Streep's art, but also feel at least a little compassion for an aging woman no longer in power.
The story of Thatcher's life is told through a series of flashbacks experienced by the woman long after she left office as the British prime minister with the longest tenure of the 20th century, and its first woman PM. We see how she entered politics, met her husband, rose to power, earned the Iron Lady nickname, and was pushed from office by her own party. For those unfamiliar with her life and politics, it's educational, at least superficially. An attempt is made to deviate from the straightforward biopic format by having Thatcher's mind failing during her old age, resulting in hallucinations about her deceased husband punctuating the film. This device is effective, but still, this is not a great film. It's a not-quite-conventional movie about the life of one historical figure, made interesting primarily by Streep's stunning ability to inhabit her subject, and thereby not only cause us to appreciate Streep's art, but also feel at least a little compassion for an aging woman no longer in power.
86 of 104 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Let me begin by saying that I think Meryl Streep is perhaps the most talented actress to EVER appear in films. It is no coincidence that she has been nominated for Academy Awards and Golden Globes more often than any other person.
That being said, "The Iron Lady" is neither a "crown jewel" nor a "feather in her cap."
There must have been a powerful draw to portray Dame Margaret Thatcher, the first (and so far, only) female Prime Minister of Great Britain. But when I think of recent "real-life" biopics like "Ray" or "The King's Speech" (or even "Julie & Julia", which featured Streep as famed Chef Julia Child), "The Iron Lady" falls short. Far short.
The film is anchored in a recent time - with Mrs. Thatcher an old widow, at least a little demented and frequented by hallucinations of her dead husband, played by Jim Broadbent in maybe the film's best performance. The rest of the film is told in clumsy flashbacks, but always returns to doddering old Maggie - Ms. Streep under an often distractingly bad pile of makeup. Old Margaret shuffles around the house, looks confused, stares out the window, and absolutely sucks any life from the narrative. (Here the fault lies not with Ms. Streep, but with the screenplay and direction. And perhaps editor. Was there no one putting the final product together who looked at "the forest" and noticed "hey... we've got about half of the running time devoted to old Margaret shuffling around, getting in and out of bed, etc.?")
In REALLY brief don't-blink-or-you'll-miss-them flashbacks we see the Margaret who grows up the daughter of a grocer with a political bent, marries a young earnest man who sees that Margaret is determined to become the powerful half of a couple, has twins, runs for office, and is finally thrust forward as Leader of the Conservative Party and elected Prime Minister.
In a good biopic (like last year's King's Speech) you get a good feel for not only the central figure, but also those surrounding. In "The Iron Lady" I never felt any connection to anyone. Other players, such as daughters, other members of Parliament or American Secretaries of State, show up long enough to be cast aside by the ambitious "Iron Lady".
How I wish that this film had reached the scope of "Gandhi" or the emotional depth of "The Queen." The Mrs. and I agreed that it is likely that both Ms. Streep and Dame Thatcher herself are not pleased with the result. We know we weren't - and it isn't OUR movie.
Addendum: Last Sunday Meryl Streep and her make-up team both won Academy Awards for this film. Neither of these facts change my opinion. I read a post-Oscar article that suggested that the Make-up Award was given BECAUSE of Streep's performance. Perhaps, but that being said, the Mrs. and I saw "J.Edgar" since I wrote my original review here - and the "old age makeup" for Leonardo DiCaprio was substantially more believable than what we saw in "The Iron Lady." Again - my major beef for this film is not at all related to Ms. Streep's performance or to the makeup, but rather to the overall movie and the amount of time it devoted to depicting a very old and very demented Margaret Thatcher. Because of the award, someone unfamiliar with Street's total body of work could be tempted to think this performance and film superior to The Deer Hunter, Out of Africa, Bridges of Madison County, Doubt, etc. IMHO - this would be incorrect.
That being said, "The Iron Lady" is neither a "crown jewel" nor a "feather in her cap."
There must have been a powerful draw to portray Dame Margaret Thatcher, the first (and so far, only) female Prime Minister of Great Britain. But when I think of recent "real-life" biopics like "Ray" or "The King's Speech" (or even "Julie & Julia", which featured Streep as famed Chef Julia Child), "The Iron Lady" falls short. Far short.
The film is anchored in a recent time - with Mrs. Thatcher an old widow, at least a little demented and frequented by hallucinations of her dead husband, played by Jim Broadbent in maybe the film's best performance. The rest of the film is told in clumsy flashbacks, but always returns to doddering old Maggie - Ms. Streep under an often distractingly bad pile of makeup. Old Margaret shuffles around the house, looks confused, stares out the window, and absolutely sucks any life from the narrative. (Here the fault lies not with Ms. Streep, but with the screenplay and direction. And perhaps editor. Was there no one putting the final product together who looked at "the forest" and noticed "hey... we've got about half of the running time devoted to old Margaret shuffling around, getting in and out of bed, etc.?")
In REALLY brief don't-blink-or-you'll-miss-them flashbacks we see the Margaret who grows up the daughter of a grocer with a political bent, marries a young earnest man who sees that Margaret is determined to become the powerful half of a couple, has twins, runs for office, and is finally thrust forward as Leader of the Conservative Party and elected Prime Minister.
In a good biopic (like last year's King's Speech) you get a good feel for not only the central figure, but also those surrounding. In "The Iron Lady" I never felt any connection to anyone. Other players, such as daughters, other members of Parliament or American Secretaries of State, show up long enough to be cast aside by the ambitious "Iron Lady".
How I wish that this film had reached the scope of "Gandhi" or the emotional depth of "The Queen." The Mrs. and I agreed that it is likely that both Ms. Streep and Dame Thatcher herself are not pleased with the result. We know we weren't - and it isn't OUR movie.
Addendum: Last Sunday Meryl Streep and her make-up team both won Academy Awards for this film. Neither of these facts change my opinion. I read a post-Oscar article that suggested that the Make-up Award was given BECAUSE of Streep's performance. Perhaps, but that being said, the Mrs. and I saw "J.Edgar" since I wrote my original review here - and the "old age makeup" for Leonardo DiCaprio was substantially more believable than what we saw in "The Iron Lady." Again - my major beef for this film is not at all related to Ms. Streep's performance or to the makeup, but rather to the overall movie and the amount of time it devoted to depicting a very old and very demented Margaret Thatcher. Because of the award, someone unfamiliar with Street's total body of work could be tempted to think this performance and film superior to The Deer Hunter, Out of Africa, Bridges of Madison County, Doubt, etc. IMHO - this would be incorrect.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Iron Lady
I used this film in my Comparative Politics class. The students really had a better understanding of Margaret Thatcher & her policies after watching her life dramatized.
Published 10 hours ago by Ali
1.0 out of 5 stars
"Dementia Lady"
What a disappointing movie of a great heroine of our time. This depicted Margaret Thatcher more of bumbling lady in the later stages of dementia, than the great leader she was. Read more
Published 3 days ago by PAUL WALKER
5.0 out of 5 stars
excellent
love the way the story went from present to past the star was so great I just loved it. read it it's great
Published 7 days ago by william herbert
5.0 out of 5 stars
Loved Margaret Thatcher and love "The Iron Lady"
My husband bought me this DVD for Mother's Day after I had added it to my wish list. I had always meant to put it on the list, but when Mrs. Thatcher died, I did it. Read more
Published 9 days ago by Andrea Fortner
4.0 out of 5 stars
pulaski
as the cliche says, a tour de force for Meryl Streep. She is a very good actor and she carries this part well. Read more
Published 10 days ago by pulaski
5.0 out of 5 stars
So many lessons!
Lesson on her rein! But also just a really great less on aging. The natural progression, and you are still you. Even after you are just some old person to those around you.
Published 10 days ago by Retta Blankenship
2.0 out of 5 stars
One of the worst movies I've seen-Don't waste your time... :(
Why the 2 stars if it's one of the worst movies I've seen? Good question, and I'll tell you that there were two redeeming qualities:
1. Read more
1. Read more
Published 13 days ago by ccincalif
2.0 out of 5 stars
Hopefully Ms. Thatcher didn't see it
I'm sure I've seen worse movies, but not more disappointing ones. The fault, dear brutalized, is not in the stars, but in the sentimental, semi psychological assault the writer... Read more
Published 14 days ago by buskin4jesus
1.0 out of 5 stars
The only reason I finished watching because I was trapped on a plane!
Can't add much more to the other one star reviews. Half the movie was about the most undignified part of her life! SOMEONE PLEASE MAKE A REAL MOVIE ABOUT MARGARET THATCHER!!
Published 16 days ago by Mom moves fast
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very British
I enjoyed the history and the acting. It was very well done. You have to like the British accent to enjoy this film.
Published 23 days ago by J. Napier
