Ingrid Bergman does a wonderful job, as does Judy Davis, at playing the Iron Lady Golda Meir (before Thatcher, there was Golda). Golda Meir's life traced itself from the Russian Empire to the American Jewish Diaspora to the formation of Israel and through the pivotal times of war and peace.
Originally run as a television mini-series, this film shows her childhood, life on a kibbutz, early days in Israel, and times as Foreign Minister and Prime Minister in good detail, both personal and professional, to give a real sense of the woman and the political figure. From her childhood she was a determined person; her shakey marriage with Morris Meyerson is depicted with sensitivity (Leonard Nimoy plays the long-suffering Meyerson). Her ideas of hope and her determination for both security and peace are depicted with passion and humor.
Watch for cameos from people such as Ned Beatty (who plays an American senator being strong-armed into selling advanced weaponry to Israel), Nigel Hawthorne (in quite a bit of make-up as the King of Jordan who lays the political reality out for Golda Meir as to why he can't initiate peace and live), and Robert Loggia (as Anwar Sadat).
The story has good pacing; much is done in flash-back form. In part it is done through narrative device of one of Golda's political secretaries, Lou Kaddar, played by Anne Jackson. I loved the scene where Lou Kaddar interviews for the job with Golda, and presents a letter as a sample of her writing. The letter is in praise of her former employer; "He sounds like an outstanding man," Golda says, to which Lou Kaddar responds, "He was a son of a *bleep*." Golda, without missing a beat, simply replies, "You might do well at this job."
It has been a long time coming, but it is worth the wait.
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Top reviews from other countries
F.T.F
This is simply riveting. Brilliant.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on April 25, 2021
Andy Willey,film historian.
both the real life Golda and the wonderful miss Bergman
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on July 6, 2015Ajax
An accurate portrayal of Golda Meir's amazing life. The information on the DVD says that ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on November 21, 2014
